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HISTORY 


OF  THE 


88™  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS 


IN  THE 


WAR   FOR  THE   UNION, 


1861-1865. 


JOHN    D.   VAUTIER, 
J  M 

Co.  I,  88TH  REGIMENT  P.  V. 


Our  country's  flag,  flag  of  the  free, 
We  pledge  our  loyal  hearts  to  thee. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED   BY  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 


E521 
-5 


V3 


PREFACE. 


THIS  book  is  a  record  of  the  services  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
88th  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry  in  the  War  for 
the  Union.  It  is  briefly  told  in  army  vernacular;  and  while  the 
historian  is  conscious  of  many  imperfections,  he  has  tried  to  indite 
a  true  and  impartial  narrative,  and  asks  his  comrades  to  skip  the 
blemishes  and  look  for  excellences,  if  happily  any  can  be  found. 

He  tenderly  dedicates  the  work  to  his  living  comrades  and  to 
the  sacred  memories  of  those  who  have  laid  down  the  armor  and 
joined  the  vast  army  in  the  eternal  encampment  beyond  the  silent 
river. 

The  author  is  under  obligations  to  Adjutant  Cyrus  S.  Detre  for 
the  regiment's  General  Order  Book  from  October  7,  1861,  to  May 
n,  1863,  and  for  the  Morning  Reports  until  January  17,  1864. 

From  these  books  the  official  record  has  been  gathered,  elaborated 
from  the  historian's  daily  diary,  covering  more  than  three  years  of 
the  time;  from  the  diary  of  Captain  Charles  McKnight,  embracing 
the  last  campaigns;  and  from  information  culled  from  many  sources. 
He  has  been  especially  aided  by  Comrades  Samuel  G.  Boone,  John 
Witmoyer,  Secretary  James  G.  Clark,  John  M.  Wallace,  Colonel 
McLean,  Mr.  John  A.  McKnight,  James  Hague,  President  Louis 
Wagner,  and  other  kind  comrades. 

It  is  through  the  assistance  furnished  by  these  generous  comrades 
that  the  publication  of  this  book  is  rendered  possible. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 
II 


CHAPTER  I. 
ORGANIZATION  AND  ENCAMPMENT 

CHAPTER  II. 
WASHINGTON  AND  ALEXANDRIA  •. 

CHAPTER    III. 

CAMP  KELLEY  TO  CLOUD'S  MILLS: 

February  to  May,  1862 

CHAPTER    IV. 

To  FREDERICKSBURG  : 

May,  1862 

CHAPTER    V. 

THE  SHENANDOAH  VALLEY: 

May  and  June,  1862 

CHAPTER    VI. 

FROM  MANASSAS  TO  CULPEPER  : 

June  to  August,  1862  ....... 

CHAPTER    VII. 

CEDAR  MOUNTAIN:  , 

August  7  to  15,  1862 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  BULL  RUN: 

August  1 6  to  29,  I S62     ... 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

PAGE 

BULL  RUN: 

August  30,  1862 53 

CHAPTER    X. 
A  PILGRIMAGE  TO  BULL  RUN 60 

CHAPTER    XI. 

CHANTILLY  TO  SOUTH  MOUNTAIN  : 

August  31  to  September  15,  1862 67 

CHAPTER    XII. 
ANTIETAM  : 

September  16  to  18,  1862 73 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

ANTIETAM  TO  FREDERICKSBURG  : 

September  19  to  December  u,  1862 85 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

FREDERICKSBURG  TO  CHANCELLORSVILLE: 

December  12,  1862,  to  May  7,  1863 89 

CHAPTER    XV. 
LEADING  TO  GETTYSBURG: 

May  8  to  June  30,  1863 102 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
GETTYSBURG  : 

July  I,  2,  and  3,  1863     . 105 

CHAPTER    XVII. 
A  DISCURSIVE  CHAPTER  ON  THE  FIRST  DAY  AT  GETTYSBURG  .  116 


CONTENTS.  7 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

PAGE 

FROM  GETTYSEURG  TO  MINE  RUN: 

July  6  to  December  3,  1863   ...........    158 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

FROM  MINE  RUN  TO  THE  WILDERNESS: 

December  3,  1863,  to  May  i,  1864  ........     168 

CHAPTER    XX. 

WITH  GRANT  IN  THE  WILDERNESS  : 

May  i  to  7,  1864     ........  •    173 

CHAPTER    XXI. 

LAUREL  HILL  AND  SPOTTSYLVANIA  : 

May  8  to  20,  1864   ...............    177 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

FROM  THE  NORTH  ANNA  TO  COLD  HARBOR: 

May  21  to  June  i,  1864  .............     *84 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

FROM  COLD  HARBOR  TO  PETERSBURG: 

June  I  to  16,  1864   ...............     l87 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

PETERSBURG  TO  THE  WELDON  RAILROAD: 

June  16  to  August  23,  1864    ........... 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

SIEGE  OF  PETERSBURG: 

August  24,  1864,  to  March  27,  1865     ....... 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

.    208 
THE  LAST  CAMPAIGN    ............. 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XXVII. 

PAGE 

SOME  STRAY  SHOTS 213 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

CAPTURE,    CONFINEMENT,  AND    ESCAPE.      BY   SAMUEL    G.   BOONE,  OF 

COMPANY  B 219 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 
ECHOES  FROM  THE  BATTLE-FIELD 225 

ROSTER  229 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


1.  Colonel  George  P.  McLean    ...............     frontispiece. 

2.  General  George  W.  Gile     .        ..........  « 

3.  General  Louis  Wagner    ................  <« 

4.  Reveille     .    .        ...............    ;    .    .    .  u 

5.  Hon.  Wm.  S.  Stokley  .....................  I4 

6.  Hon.  Fred.  L.  Lauer   ......................  14 

7.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jos.  A.  McLean     ...............  26 

8.  Major  David  A.  Griffith  .....................  26 

9.  Major  B.  F.  Foust     .......................  26 

10.  Adjutant  C.  S.  Detre    ......................  26 

11.  Surgeon  John  W.  Rawlins  ....................  38 

12.  Quartermaster  A.  C.  Wester    ...................  38 

13.  Chaplain  C.  W.  Clothier  .....................  38 

14.  Lieutenant  Harry  O'Neill     .    ...................  38 

15.  Principal  Musician  J.  F.  Keller     .................  38 

16.  Lieutenant  Geo.  W.  Grant  ....................  50 

17.  Corporal  L.  W.  Bonnin    .....................  50 

18.  Geo.  W.  Boger     ........................  50 

19.  Jos.  C.  Clement    ........................  50 

20.  Henry  Read  ..........   '.    ...............  5° 

21.  Map  of  Bull  Run     ......    ................  62 

22.  Lieutenant  S.  G.  Boone  .....................  7° 

23.  A.  D.  Ermentrout     ........  7° 

24.  H.  N.  Kuhn  ..............  70 

25.  J.  L.  Wentzel    ...........  7° 

26.  Corporal  Geo.  W.  Gaylord  ........    ............  7° 

27.  Captain  J.  J.  Belsterling  .....  *  ................  82 

28.  Lieutenant  Robert  Herron  ....................  82 

29.  Corporal  J.  T.  Williams  .......                                                      .    .  82 

30.  Thomas  Albright  ...... 

31.  James  Hague     ......... 

32.  Lieutenant  John  Witmoyer  .    .    .    . 

33.  Lieutenant  James  McChaliker    ...... 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

No PACE 

34.  D.  K.  Hartzell loo 

35.  Corporal  Henry  Townsend 100 

36.  Sergeant  William  Chambers loo 

37.  The  Battle  of  Gettysburg 106 

38.  Lieutenant  Geo.  E.  Wagner 114 

39.  Lieutenant  Charles  Hunter 114 

40.  Lieutenant  R.  B.  Beath 114 

41.  Lieutenant  Mortimer  Wisham 114 

42.  Corporal  Harvey  Myers 114 

43.  Map  of  Gettysburg 128 

44.  Captain  C.  S.  Carmack 150 

45.  Captain  E.  L.  Gilligan 150 

46.  Lieutenant  Albert  Booz 15° 

47.  Henry  S.  Booz 150 

48.  John  De  Haven 150 

49.  Captain  J.  Parker  Martin 166 

50.  Captain  Geo.  B.  Rhoads 166 

51.  Lieutenant  A.  G.  Sinn 166 

52.  James  G.  Clark 166 

53.  Philip  Schriner 166 

54.  Captain  W.  J.  Harkisheimer 188 

55.  John  Hart 188 

56.  John  D.  Vautier 188 

57.  John  W.  Sickels 1 88 

58.  Samuel  Martin 188 

59.  Captain  S.  II.  Martin 206 

60.  Lieutenant  R.  L.  Cams 206 

61.  Sergeant  Joseph  Sergeant 206 

62.  Corporal  W.  B.  Threapleton  .    . 206 

63.  Captain  Charles  McKnight 206 

64.  Reunion  at  Reading,  October.  1890 216 

65.  Regimental  Monument  at  Gettysburg 218 

66.  Taps 280 

67.  Frank  K.  Murphy 220 

68.  Peter  D.  Shearer 220 

69.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Edmund  A.  Mass 220 

70.  John  Simms 220 

71.  Corporal  Thomas  H.  Anderson 220 

72.  Lieutenant  Jonathan  E.  Rogers 224 

73.  Corporal  James  W.  Colen 224 

74.  Lieutenant  Harry  Hudson 224 

75.  Sergeant  John  B.  Donahoe 224 

76.  Samuel  Binns 224 

77.  Reunion  at  Philadelphia,  October  4,  1894 228 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


88iH  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS, 


CHAPTER    I. 

ORGANIZATION   AND    ENCAMPMENT. 

THIS  is  not  a  history  of  the  war,  and  it  is  not  proper  that  the 
opening  acts  in  that  great  drama  should  be  here  described ;  these 
have  all  been  told  elsewhere,  and  have  passed  into  the  history  of 
the  country. 

This  regiment  was  created  in  compliance  with  the  call  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  for  500,000  troops,  issued  May  3, 
1861,  and  is  only  one  of  many  like  organizations  formed  in  re 
sponse  to  this  and  subsequent  calls  for  men  to  become  soldiers 
to  fight  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

It  is  not  asserted  that  the  regiment  was  superior  to  other  similar 
organizations,  nor  is  it  claimed  that  all  the  credit  is  clue  it  for 
service  in  which  many  regiments  participated,  but  the  work  is  a 
plain  narrative  of  the  faithful  service  of  men  who,  to  the  best  of 
their  ability  and  as  directed,  tried  to  serve  their  country  and  defend 
its  flag  from  dishonor  and  disunion. 

Under  this  call  the  regiment  was  raised  in  the  following  manner: 
Major  George  P.  McLean,  while  serving  with  the  22d  Pennsylvania 
Regiment  in  the  three  months'  service,  was  authorized  by  Secretary 
of  War  Cameron,  in  the  following  order,  to  recruit  a  regiment  for 

the  war. 

ii 


12  HISTORY  OF   THE 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  WASHINGTON,  August  9,  1861. 
COL.  GEO.  P.  McLEAN,  Phila.,  Penn'a: 

SIR, — The  regiment  which  you  offer  is  accepted  for  three  years  or  during  the 
war,  provided  you  have  it  ready  for  marching  orders  in  thirty  days. 

This  acceptance  is  with  the  distinct  understanding,  that  the  Department  will 
revoke  the  commissions  of  all  officers  who  may  be  found  incompetent  for  the 
proper  discharge  of  their  duties.  You  will  promptly  advise  Adjutant-General 
Thomas  the  date  at  which  your  men  will  be  ready  for  mustering,  and  he  will 
detail  an  officer  for  that  purpose,  who  will  be  instructed  to  muster  by  company. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

SEAL     \  (Sigd)  JAMES  LESLEY,  JR., 

WAR  DEPT    \  Chief  Clerk  War  Department. 

WASH., 
D.  C. 


Preparations  were  at  once  made  to  form  the  battalion,  the  follow 
ing  constituting  part  of  the  field  and  staff: 

Colonel,  George  P.  McLean,  of  Philadelphia,  a  prominent  officer 
with  much  military  experience  before  the  war,  and  major  of  the  226. 
Regiment  in  the  three  months'  service;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Joseph 
A.  McLean,  of  Reading,  a  brother  of  the  colonel  (he  had  served 
as  adjutant  of  the  i4th  Regiment  under  the  first  call)  ;  Major,  George 
W.  Gile,  of  Philadelphia,  late  first  lieutenant  in  the  22d  Regiment; 
Benezet  F.  Foust,  a  promising  young  lawyer,  as  Adjutant ;  Rev. 
Charles  W.  Clothier,  a  Baptist  minister,  as  Chaplain  ;  and  Daniel 
D.  Jones  as  Quartermaster.  These  officers,  together  with  Surgeons 
John  H.  Seltzer  and  George  H.  Mitchell,  completed  the  commis 
sioned  field. 

The  time  of  the  three  months'  troops  expiring  in  July  and  August, 
made  good  recruiting  for  the  new  regiment,  which,  in  honor  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  was  called  the  Cameron  Light  Guard. 

Company  A,  from  Reading,  was  the  first  company  ready,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  as  full-fledged  volunteers, 
on  August  23,  1861.  Companies  B  and  H,  also  from  Reading; 
Company  C,  from  Manayunk,  Conshohocken,  and  vicinity;  and 
Company  D,  from  Philadelphia,  quickly  followed.  Companies  F, 
I,  and  K,  from  Philadelphia,  followed  early  in  September.  Com 
panies  E  and  G  were  organized  as  distinct  companies  after  the 
regiment  left  the  city. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  FENNA.    VOLS.  13 

It  was  the  original  intention  to  have  fifteen  companies,  and  enough 
recruits  were  enrolled  and  positions  expected  by  different  persons 
to  fill  almost  all  the  official  places  in  a  regiment  comprising  fifteen 
companies  ;  but  a  general  order,  issued  by  the  War  Department  to 
all  colonels  then  recruiting,  informed  them  that  but  ten  companies 
would  be  allowed  each  regiment,  consequently  some  dissatisfaction 
was  caused  by  this  change  in  the  program. 

To  make  an  impartial  selection  of  the  necessary  commissioned 
officers  for  the  ten  accepted  companies,  Colonel  McLean  empowered 
the  line  officers  to  appoint  from  their  number  a  committee  to  make 
the  choice,  which  was  done.  This  completed  the  organization  with 
the  following 

ROSTER. 

Colonel,  GEORGE  P.  McLEAN. 
Lieutenant- Colonel,  JOSEPH  A.  McLEAN. 

Major,  GEORGE  W.  GILE. 

Adjutant,  BENKZKT  F.  FOUST. 

Quartermaster,  DANIEL  D.  JONES. 

Surgeons,  DR.  JOHN  H.  SELTZER  and  DR.  GEORGE  H.  MITCHELL. 

Chaplain,  CHARLES  W.  CLOTHIER. 

Band- Leader,  E.  ERMENTROUT. 

COMPANY   OFFICERS. 

A.  — Captain,  Geo.  W.  Knabb;  Lieutenants,  Frederick  R.  Fritz,  Albert  H.  Seyfert. 
B.— Captain,  Henry  A.  Myers;  Lieutenants,  Edmund  A.  Mass,  George  1).  Rhoads. 
C— Captain,  John  J.  Belsterling;  Lieutenants,  J.  Sarazin  Steeple,  Harry  Hudson. 
D.— Captain,  Geo.  W.  Fairlamb;  Lieutenants,  Louis  Wagner,  Wm.  H.  Fairlamb. 
E.— Captain,  Chris.  S.  Carmack  ;  Lieutenants,  Wm.  H.  Shearman,  Jas.  S.  Johnston. 
F.— Captain,  Theo.  W.  Dunham  ;  Lieutenants,  J.  Pa.ker  Martin,  Wm.  L.  Street. 
G.— Captain,  John  S.  Dull ;  Lieutenants,  Henry  Korn,  Walter  S.  Wingate. 
H.— Captain,  David  Griffith  ;  Lieutenants,  George  W.  Rapp,  Frank  B.  Shakers. 
I.— Captain, J.  Reeside  White;  Lieutenants,  Jacob  S.  Stretch,  Wm.  J.  Harkisheimer. 
K.— Captain,  Wm.  F.  Powell;  Lieutenants,  Syl.  S.  Bookhammer,  Ed.  V.  Patterson. 
Sergeant- Major,  John  J.  Levi ;  Commissary  Sergeant,  Jacob  S.  Kram. 

With  the  selection  of  these  officers  the  organization  of  the  regi 
ment  was  completed,  but  there  were  many  who  had  entered  the 
ranks  fully  expecting  commissions,  having  recruited  men  wit! 

object  in  view. 

The  excellent   band  of   twenty  pieces  that   Leader  Ermentrout 


14  HISTORY  QF  THE 

brought  from  Reading  was  the  pride  of  the  regiment  and  contributed 
very  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  soldiers.  The  members  were 
regularly  sworn  into  the  service  on  August  30,  1861,  having  agreed 
to  accept  the  compensation  allowed  musicians;  but  being  skilled 
performers,  they  were  promised  a  salary  equal  to  that  of  a  second 
lieutenant,  the  difference  being  raised  by  a  monthly  contribution 
from  the  commissioned  officers  of  the  regiment. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Reading  companies  they  were  bountifully 
entertained  by  the  colonel  and  then  taken  to  camp,  and  so  hospita 
bly  had  they  been  received  that  they  were  of  the  opinion  that  sol 
diering  was  not  such  a  bad  thing  after  all.  This  idea  was  further 
strengthened  when  they  were  marched  to  the  chosen  camp  site,  a 
beautiful  plot  of  greensward,  overshadowed  by  stately  trees,  situated 
on  the  sloping  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  a  few  hundred  yards  below  the 
mouth  of  Wissahickon  Creek.  Here  the  tents  that  had  been  borrowed 
from  the  Green  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  were  pitched, 
and  preparations  made  to  feed  and  shelter  the  embryo  soldiers  as 
they  came  to  Camp  Stokley,  called  so  in  honor  of  the  mayor  of  the 
city,  Hon.  William  S.  Stokley.  Soon  the  tents  furnished  by  Uncle 
Sam  were  received,  and  recruiting  was  so  brisk  fhat  by  the  24th  of 
September  between  500  and  600  men  were  in  camp,  in  charge  of 
Major  Gile,  who  employed  his  time  in  initiating  the  boys  into  the 
mysteries  of  battalion  drill.  While  the  major  was  resting,  the  company 
officers  took  it  up,  and  continued  the  program  with  company  drill ; 
and  when  they  had  exhausted  their  knowledge  of  tactics  the  squads 
were  given  in  charge  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  (mostly  three 
months'  veterans),  who,  in  turn,  thrilled  the  new  soldiers  with  san 
guinary  stories  of  the  terrible  battle  of  Falling  Waters,  and  instructed 
them  in  the  facings  and  other  sublime  evolutions  of  squad  drill. 
Now  it  was  "Left  foot,  right  foot,"  which  the  giddy  novices  soon 
termed  "  Hay  foot,  straw  foot  ;"  then  "  Now  step  off  with  your  left 
foot,  all  together,"  until  the  recruits  were  sick  of  the  whole  busi 
ness,  and  protested  that  they  did  not  come  to  tramp,  but  to  fight. 
All  motions  of  this  sort  were  promptly  overruled  by  the  officers, 
and  the  green  soldiers  looked  with  awe  upon  their  superiors,  and 
wondered  if  they  should  ever  attain  the  proficiency  in  the  military 
art  and  the  experience  on  the  battle  field  possessed  by  these  wonder- 


HON.  WILLIAM  S.  STOKLEY, 
Of  Philadelphia. 


HON.  FKKI>.   I-  I.AIIKR, 
Of  Reading. 


KRIKNDS  OF  OUR   REGIMENT. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  15 

ful  campaigners.  But  at  any  rate  the  boys  enjoyed  the  novelty  of 
the  new  life,  enlivened  by  the  merry  shouts  and  queer  antics  of  the 
"Squeedunks,"  "Wide  Awakes,"  and  other  nondescript  squads, 
and  mingled  pleasantly  with  friends  and  visitors  who  thronged  the 
camp,  appreciating  the  "picnic"  as  much  as  the  soldiers  did. 

The  survivors  of  that  romantic  camp  will  long  remember  those 
balmy  days  and  mellow  nights  so  happily  spent  with  friend  and 
comrade,  and  how  in  the  city  a  lad  topped  with  a  fatigue  cap  was 
welcome  to  a  free  ride  and  the  choicest  seat  in  the  cars,  the  greatest 
deference  and  attention  being  shown  to  any  so  brave  as  to  volunteer 
in  defence  of  the  national  government.  The  Reading  contingent 
were  especially  conspicuous  by  reason  of  flaring  tricolored  neckties 
of  generous  size,  which  had  been  presented  to  them  by  their  fair 
admirers  of  that  loyal  town. 

The  ladies  of  the  Union  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Fourth 
Street  below  Arch,  were  particularly  active  in  aiding  to  equip  the 
soldiers  for  active  service,  and  made  many  donations  of  useful  arti 
cles,  which  kindness  was  fully  appreciated  by  the  men. 

At  this  period  of  the  war  no  bounties  or  other  pecuniary  induce 
ments  were  offered  ;  in  fact,  it  may  be  reasonably  questioned  if  many 
of  the  men  knew  exactly  how  much  pay  a  soldier  was  entitled  to. 
No  selfish  considerations  of  greed  or  gain  actuated  these  men  ;  they 
would  have  volunteered  if  there  had  been  no  pay.  They  left  their 
homes  and  business  solely  because  their  country  was  in  danger  and 
called  for  their  assistance. 

Colonel  McLean  formally  assumed  command  of  the  camp  on  the 
3d  of  October,  celebrating  the  event  by  giving  the  regiment  an 
extra  measure  of  battalion  drill.  The  colonel  and  lieutenant-colonel 
were  brothers,  and  to  distinguish  them  the  men  invariably  spoke  of 
them  as  Colonel  George  and  Colonel  Joe,  terms  which  we  will  use 
occasionally  in  the  present  work. 

Some  of  the  younger  members  appeared  to  think  battalion  drill 
something  of  a  frolic,  laughing  and  joking  as  commands  were 
given  and  evolutions  performed,  until  the  watchful  eyes  of  Colonel 
Joe  noticing  the  unbecoming  hilarity,  he  approached  the  roisterers 
and  in  a  few  appropriate  words  kindly  rebuked  them  for  their  trifling 
conduct,  explaining  to  them  the  necessity  of  every  man  diligently 


1 6  PI  IS  TORY  OF   THE 

applying  himself  to  the  movements  and  so  becoming  a  proficient 
soldier.  Every  soldier  within  hearing  felt  the  force  of  this  rebuke, 
and  respected  the  lieutenant  colonel  for  the  timely  words  spoken. 
But  the  happy  times  in  this  delightful  camp  could  not  end  the  war, 
and  when  the  colonel  received  orders  on  October  4  to  report  at  once 
with  his  regiment  at  Washington,  the  men  were  delighted  with  the 
prospect  of  active  service.  Accordingly  the  stragglers  were  gath 
ered  and  preparations  made  to  leave  camp  on  Saturday,  October  5, 
1 86 1.  The  regiment  had  no  guns,  and  the  men  did  not  relish  the 
idea  of  going  to  the  front  without  suitable  equipment ;  but  there 
was  no  help  for  it,  the  orders  being  imperative. 

This  breaking  camp  was  the  first  important  military  act  we  had 
been  ordered  to  execute,  and  Colonel  McLean  determined  to  do  the 
thing  up  brown,  the  following  orders  being  strictly  observed  : 

At  the  first  tap  of  the  bass  drum,  all  preparations  for  striking  tents 
were  completed ;  when  tap  number  two  sounded,  the  pins  were 
drawn;  and  when  the  third  "bang"  boomed  over  the  camp,  ker- 
wallop  !  down  came  every  tent  as  if  struck  by  lightning,  revealing 
as  by  magic  a  mass  of  busy  soldiers  yelling  with  delight  as  they  per 
formed  this  striking  act.  The  regiment  then  fell  in  and  headed  for 
the  seat  of  war  via  Ridge  Avenue,  the  first  companies  being  snugly 
packed  in  the  horse  cars;  but  the  supply  of  cars  falling  short,  the 
rear  companies  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  an  elegant  march  along  the 
Ridge,  in  the  blinding  dust  and  under  the  scorching  sun,  until  the 
advance  companies  were  overtaken  as  they  quietly  rested  at  the 
depot. 

With  the  magnificent  band  on  the  lead  playing  martial  music,  the 
march  was  resumed,  platoon  front ;  the  regiment  passed  down  the 
Ridge  to  Broad  Street,  to  Green,  to  Fourth,  to  Noble,  to  Sixth, 
passing  by  the  colonel's  house  on  Sixth  Street,  below  Callowhill ;  to 
Walnut,  where  a  halt  was  made  while  Colonel  McLean  went  into 
court  before  Judge  Ludlow  to  answer  a  summons  concerning  a  minor 
who  had  enlisted  in  the  regiment  and  then  ran  away. 

The  case  being  amicably  settled,  the  drums  beat  the  march  along 
Walnut  to  Third,  to  Chestnut,  to  Second,  to  Walnut  again,  thence 
to  Third,  and  down  Third  to  Washington  Avenue,  and  thence  to 
the  Soldiers'  Refreshment  Saloon  at  the  wharf.  Here  the  tired, 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  I? 

hungry,  and  dusty  soldiers  washed  the  dirt  and  sweat  from  their 
faces,  and  then  put  away  a  good  substantial  supper,  without  money 
and  without  price,  the  last  square  meal  many  of  these  pilgrims  got 
for  many  a  day.  But  all  the  boys  heartily  wished  the  blessings  of 
God  on  the  noble  men  and  women  of  the  Union  and  Cooper  Shop 
Refreshment  Saloons  who  so  promptly  and  generously  ministered  to 
the  wants  of  the  soldiers  passing  through  Philadelphia.  A  volunteer 
dressed  in  Union  blue  was  sure  of  a  warm  welcome  from  these  loyal 
people,  and  no  Union  soldier  ever  passed  through  the  city,  while 
the  war  continued,  neglected  or  hungry. 

Supper  being  finished,  the  regiment  marched  to  the  depot  at  Broad 
Street  and  Washington  Avenue  to  take  the  cars  for  the  capital.  Here 
a  large  number  of  friends  had  gathered  to  see  the  boys  off,  to  bid 
them  God-speed,  and  to  tell  them  to  "  Come  home  again  soon." 

We  sent  them  forth  to  fight  for  the  flag 

Their  fathers  before  them  bore. 

Though  the  hot  tear-drops  started, 

This  was  our  parting  trust  : 

"  God  bless  you,  boys !     We'll  welcome  you  home 

When  rebels  are  in  the  dust." 

About  nine  o'clock  the  train  rolled  out  of  the  depot,  and  the 
Cameron  Light  Guard  were  off  to  the  war,  followed  by  the  earnest 
prayers  of  the  many  dear  ones  who,  though  they  knew  it  not,  had 
seen  many  of  their  braves  for  the  last  time  on  earth. 


1 8  HISTORY  OF   THE 


CHAPTER     II. 
WASHINGTON    AND    ALEXANDRIA. 

BALTIMORE  was  reached  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the 
sleepy  soldiers  being  awakened  and  marched  to  the  Washington 
Depot,  where  they  lay  until  daylight,  when  breakfast  was  served  by 
some  gentlemen,  who  carried  to  the  soldiers  buckets  full  of  hot  coffee 
and  huge  baskets  filled  with  bread  and  meat,  all  of  which  were  freely 
given  until  the  men  could  eat  no  more.  In  the  afternoon,  while 
waiting  for  the  train,  the  regiment  was  paraded  and  presented  with 
a  United  States  flag. 

Finally  the  cars  were  again  boarded,  and  at  dusk  the  great  ribs  of 
the  dome  of  the  Capitol,  with  the  uncompleted  Washington  Monu 
ment  in  the  background,  came  in  view  as  the  train  steamed  into  the 
capital  city.  Here  the  regiment  was  taken  into  a  long  frame  build 
ing  called  the  Soldiers'  Rest  and  rested  for  the  night. 

In  the  morning  the  weary  men  arose  from  their  uncomfortable 
positions  on  the  bare  floor  and  fell  in  for  breakfast,  which  was  spread 
on  long  tables  of  rough  boards,  and  consisted  of  a  tin  cup  of  black 
coffee,  a  hunk  of  bread,  and  a  liberal  piece  of  boiled  pork,  dripping 
with  fat.  There  was  no  sugar,  butter,  cream,  knives,  forks,  or  other 
"  fixins"  generally  found  on  a  family  table,  and  as  the  boys  surveyed 
their  breakfast,  it  was  amusing  to  note  the  intense  and  unconcealed 
disgust  exhibited  at  such  a  feed.  Unaccustomed  to  such  provender 
at  home,  they  vehemently  protested  against  being  treated  as  hogs, 
and  were  only  mollified,  not  satisfied,  when  the  kind-hearted  colonel 
assured  them  that  it  "  would  be  all  right  when  we  got  in  camp  and 
had  our  own  cooks."  With  this  explanation,  the  men  partook  of 
the  spread,  but  rested  their  expectations  of  better  times  on  the  com 
pany  cooks,  hopes  that  were  not  realized  in  all  cases. 

It  may  be  proper  to  remark  here  that  these  gentlemen  got  bravely 
over  their  dainty  tastes  ere  long,  and  many  times  hungered  for  just 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  19 

such  rations  as  they  had  so  contemptuously  refused  that  morning  at 
the  Rest. 

During  the  morning  the  regiment  proceeded  to  a  pleasant  common 
known  as  Kendall  Green,  situated  about  a  mile  from  the  Capitol 
building,  and,  pitching  tents,  called  it  Camp  Moore,  in  honor  of 
Hon.  Henry  D.  Moore,  of  Philadelphia. 

Not  having  received  guns,  the  sentries  guarded  the  camp  armed 
with  clubs,  making  a  ludicrous  and  very  unsoldierlike  appearance 
patrolling  their  beats  equipped  in  this  primitive  fashion.  To  no 
one  was  this  more  distasteful  than  to  Colonel  George,  and  the 
officers  all  being  armed  with  swords  and  pistols,  he  requested  them 
to  guard  the  encampment  the  first  night,  to  which  they  willingly 
complied. 

Accordingly,  in  the  evening  the  officers,  resplendent  in  new  uni 
forms  with  shining  buttons  and  keen  swords,  assembled  at  the  guard 
house  and  took  their  stations  to  act  as  guards 'for  the  night.  All 
went  on  smoothly  until  a  terrific  storm  of  wind  and  rain  burst  upon 
the  camp,  drenching  the  titled  sentinels  to  the  skin ;  but  they 
bravely  faced  the  pelting  rain  and  wallowed  in  the  darkness  through 
the  mire  and  water  until  daylight  (at  least  it  is  reported  that  some 
of  them  did),  when  they  beat  a  speedy  retreat  to  their  tents,  a  sorry 
set  of  bedraggled  and  disgusted  shoulder-straps  who  had  done  enough 
of  this  kind  of  guard  duty  to  fully  satisfy  them  while  they  remained 
in  the  service.  Sentry  duty  was  ever  after  cheerfully  left  to  the 
private  soldier. 

The  regiment  remained  in  this  camp  until  October  12,  1861,  when 
the  exciting  news  was  promulgated  that  we  were  going  to  the  front 
right  away,  and  everybody  was  happy  when  tents  were  struck  and, 
boarding  a  steamboat,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Alexandria,  down 
the  Potomac,  seven  miles  from  Washington. 

Alexandria  was  soon  reached,  and  in  the  evening  the  regiment, 
debarking,  marched  out  King  Street  and  encamped  on  the  lots  near 
the  Episcopal  Church  where  General  Washington  used  to  worship. 

Alexandria  at  this  time  was  an  old-fashioned  city  of  several  thou 
sand  inhabitants,  most  of  whom  were  rank  secessionists  with  decided 
aristocratic  and  old  English  tendencies,  the  very  streets  resounding 
with  such  royal  names  as  King,  Prince,  Princess,  Queen,  Duke,  St. 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Asaph,  Royal,  and  more  of  the  same  character,  indicating  the 
antiquity  of  the  town  as  well  as  the  Tory  sentiment  which  prompted 
such  names.  There  were  many  points  of  interest  in  this  antiquated 
city,  but  the  centre  of  attraction  was  the  Marshall  House,  where 
Ellsworth  met  his  untimely  death,  used  subsequently  as  the  quarters 
of  Company  K.  The  slave-pen  was  ako  an  object  of  especial  inter 
est  to  Northerners,  who  viewed  with  horror  the  manacles  and  chains 
used  to  bind  unruly  negroes,  the  block  from  which  they  were  sold, 
and  the  posts,  cells,  etc.,  where  they  were  confined.  Company  C 
was  afterwards  quartered  at  the  pen,  and  the  soldiers  took  especial 
delight  in  showing  and  explaining  to  visitors  the  various  implements 
which  the  slave-dealer  had  left  in  his  flight. 

On  October  15  the  men  received  muskets,  a  species  of  ancient 
weapon  difficult  to  classify,  and  which  was  probably  as  dangerous  to 
the  man  behind  the  gun  as  to  the  one  before  it ;  however,  they  were 
better  than  none,  so  the  boys  received  them  gladly. 

On  the  i8th  the  companies  broke  camp  and,  moving  into  the 
town,  relieved  the  5th  New  Jersey  Regiment  and  proceeded  to  police 
the  city,  patrolling  the  streets  and  posting  sentries  on  nearly  every 
corner.  The  companies  were  quartered  in  different  large  buildings, 
the  city  being  divided  into  districts;  the  soldiers  settled  down  to 
the  monotony  of  guard  duty,  varied  in  the  afternoons  by  a  parade 
and  battalion  drill  by  Colonel  McLean. 

On  October  25,  1861,  Private  James  Y.  Grace,  of  Company  D, 
died  of  lung-disease,  the  first  soldier  in  the  regiment  to  give  his  life 
for  his  country.  On  this  date  the  regiment  numbered  831  men,  of 
whom  755  were  present  with  their  respective  companies. 

On  the  3oth,  Gosline's  famous  regiment  of  Philadelphia  zouaves 
passed  through  the  city  and  was  given  a  cordial  reception  by  the 
men  of  the  88th.  About  this  time  the  number  assigned  to  the  regi 
ment  was  received,  and  it  henceforth  ceased  to  be  called  and  reported 
as  the  Cameron  Light  Guards,  being  now  known  as  the  88th  Pennsyl 
vania  Volunteer  Infantry. 

On  November  15  the  command  escorted  to  the  wharf  the  sailors 
who  had  been  stationed  at  Fort  Ellsworth,  and  on  the  28th  a  like 
compliment  was  extended  to  the  36th  and  53d  Pennsylvania  and  4th 
Rhode  Island  Regiments,  passing  through  the  city.  During  the 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  21 

night  of  the  291)1  some  of  the  companies  were  sent  out  on  the  rail 
road  as  far  as  Springfield,  on  some  sort  of  a  reconnoissance,  but 
what  it  amounted  to,  other  than  to  give  the  men  a  most  uncomfort 
able  soaking  in  the  rain,  has  never  been  known. 

A  very  important  and  pleasing  affair  occurred  on  January  4,  1862, 
being  the  presentation  of  an  elegant  silk  flag  to  the  regiment  on  be 
half  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The  command  paraded  before 
the  colonel's  quarters,  Hon.  William  D.  Kelley,  of  Pennsylvania, 
delivering  the  flag  to  the  safe-keeping  of  the  regiment  in  an  eloquent 
speech,  and  Colonel  McLean,  on  receiving  it,  feelingly  pledged  the 
honor  of  the  regiment  that  it  would  be  returned  with  honor  to  the 
governor.  Addresses  were  also  made  by  Hon.  Galusha  A.  Grow, 
Colonel  Hays,  Mayor  McKenzie,  Colonel  Joe,  and  others,  but  prob 
ably  the  best-received  speech  was  made  by  General  Heintzelman. 
Much  against  his  will,  he  was  elbowed  to  the  front  and  said,  "I 
can't  make  a  speech,  boys;  but  when  there's  a  fight  about,  why, 
count  me  in."  Immense  applause  greeted  this  pungent  oration,  and 
the  grim  and  grizzled  old  soldier  fell  back  blushing  like  a  school 
girl. 

On  the  loth  of  January  the  man-of-war  Pensacola,  which  had 
been  anchored  in  the  Potomac,  sailed  down  the  river,  successfully 
passing  the  rebel  batteries  blockading  the  river  below  Mount  Vernon. 
The  Johnnies  gave  the  tars  a  hot  reception  as  they  passed  by,  the 
sound  of  the  enemy's  guns  being  heard  at  Alexandria,  the  first  echo 
of  real  war  the  regiment  had  heard.  A  few  days  after,  the  brig 
Perry  followed  the  Pensacola  down  the  river  and,  except  a  few 
scars  from  the  Southern  cannon,  arrived  in  good  order  at  Fortress 
Monroe. 

The  welcome  face  of  the  most  popular  officer  in  the  service,  the 
paymaster,  appeared  on  the  i8th,  and  gladdened  the  hearts  and 
fattened  the  purses  of  the  boys  with  two  months'  pay,  some  of  it  in 
gold,  the  ration  for  a  high  private  being  thirteen  dollars  per  month 
and  roast  beef— if  he  could  get  it. 

About  the  last  of  the  month,  Captain  Carmack,  Lieutenant  Wag 
ner,  Sergeants  Beath,  Richards,  and  Donohue,  and  Corporal  Lorenzo 
Wilson  were  detailed  on  recruiting  service.  During  the  latter  part  of 
January  the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  a  fine  body  of  rugged-looking  sol- 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE 

diers,  was  quartered  in  the  town,  and,  intermingling  with  the  men 
of  the  88th,  many  warm  ties  of  friendship  were  formed  between  the 
two  regiments. 

Just  about  this  time  an  incident  occurred,  in  which  the  men  of 
both  organizations  participated,  which  at  one  time  threatened  a 
tragic  ending.  As  before  mentioned,  many  of  the  Alexandrians 
were  disloyal  to  the  government,  claiming  that  their  allegiance  was 
due  to  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  exhibiting  their  sympathies 
for  the  forbidden  cause  whenever  they  could  conveniently  do  so. 
Many  of  these  people  worshipped  at  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church, 
where  the  minister  in  his  prayers  omitted  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  substituting  instead  the  President  of  the  Confederate 
States,  and  for  this  treasonable  conduct  he  was  arrested  and  taken 
before  the  provost  marshal.  This  action  incited  his  sympathizers  to 
indulge  in  much  vehement  and  disloyal  talk,  which  provoked  the 
soldiers  to  retaliate  by  nailing  Union  flags  on  the  houses  of  some  of 
the  leading  secessionists  and  intimating  to  them  that  it  would  be 
exceedingly  unwise  to  remove  the  flags. 

On  February  10  the  office  of  the  Alexandria  Gazette,  an  intensely 
Southern  newspaper,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  two  adjoin 
ing  buildings,  the  fire  being  checked  by  the  efforts  of  the  soldiers 
present,  who,  manning  the  dilapidated  fire  apparatus,  prevented  a 
conflagration  that  might  have  destroyed  the  city. 

A  day  or  two  after  a  crowd  of  soldiers  gathered  in  front  of  St. 
Paul's  Church,  presumably  to  raise  the  national  flag  on  the  peak, 
when  some  nervous  sentinel  sent  word  to  the  quarters  of  Company  I 
that  a  riot  was  imminent,  and  the  company  coming  down  on  the 
double-quick  to  the  scene  of  the  supposed  disturbance  added  to  the 
noise  and  confusion,  drawing  all  the  idlers  in  town  to  the  locality. 
Captain  White  ordered  the  crowd  to  disperse,  and,  they  showing  no 
disposition  to  comply,  formed  his  men  to  clear  the  street  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet. 

Affairs  were  assuming  a  serious  aspect,  it  needing  but  a  spark  to 
cause  a  serious  explosion,  when  some  gifted  genius  made  a  happy 
and  telling  shot  by  yelling  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "Three  cheers 
for  the  three  eights!"  a  combination  of  the  regimental  numbers  of 
the  8th  Illinois  and  88th  Pennsylvania.  This  was  responded  to  with 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  23 

a  will,  putting  the  soldiers  in  good  humor,  and  Major  Gile,  appearing 
at  this  time,  ordered  the  men  to  their  quarters,  thus  avoiding  further 
difficulty. 

But  the  men  were  dissatisfied  with  the  duty  in  Alexandria,  and 
Colonel  McLean  requested  orders  for  active  service.  The  colonel, 
in  the  absence  of  General  Montgomery,  had  been  acting  as  military 
governor  of  Alexandria  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  garrison  officer, 
and,  finding  the  duties  very  distasteful,  asked  the  Secretary  of  War 
to  send  the  regiment  to  the  front. 

At  length  the  welcome  orders  came  for  a  part  of  the  regiment  to 
move,  and  on  February  18,  Companies  A,  C,  D,  E,  and  I,  bidding 
farewell  to  the  Alexandrians,  reported,  not  to  the  front,  but  to  Gen 
eral  Barry  at  Washington,  leaving  Companies  B,  F,  H,  and  K  at 
Alexandria  under  command  of  Major  Gile. 


24  HISTORY  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    III. 

CAMP    KELLEY    TO    CLOUD'S    MILLS:    FEBRUARY    TO    MAY,    1862. 

UPON  reporting  to  General  Barry,  Colonel  McLean  was  ordered 
across  the  Eastern  Branch  and  directed  to  find  a  suitable  camp 
ground  near  Fort  Stan  ton  ;  so  the  battalion,  450  strong,  trudged 
through  the  mud  beneath  a  most  disagreeable  winter  rain  until  the 
prospective  camp  ground  was  reached. 

The  men  at  once  tried  to  make  themselves  comfortable,  but  the 
surroundings,  at  the  best,  were  very  discouraging,  as  but  little  of  the 
camp  equipage  had  arrived  and  everything  was  saturated  with  rain. 
Some  of  the  companies  took  possession  of  some  log  houses  on  the 
place  and  crawled  in  out  of  the  wet ;  but  Captain  Belsterling,  with 
wisdom  born  of  experience,  instructed  his  command  how  to  pitch 
their  tents,  and  breaking  off  the  branches  of  the  pine  and  other 
evergreen  trees,  shook  the  water  off  and,  using  them  for  feathers, 
soon  had  the  best  quarters  on  the  ground.  The  next  day,  the  weather 
clearing,  a  nice  camp  was  located  near  Oxen  Run,  and  the  time  was 
pleasantly  spent  in  drilling  and  in  guarding  Forts  Baker,  Davis, 
Goodhope,  Ricketts,  Greble,  Stanton,  Snyder,  and  two  uncompleted 
earthworks  that  could  not  afford  an  official  name. 

The  armaments  of  the  forts  and  the  details  from  the  battalion 
were  :  Fort  Baker,  seven  smooth  24-pounders,  not  mounted  ;  Davis, 
six,  same  calibre;  Good  Hope,  four  32-pounders,  mounted;  Rick 
etts,  four,  same  calibre;  Greble,  thirteen  32-pounders  and  two 
Parrotts;  Carroll,  some  32-pounders  and  two  Parrotts ;  Stanton, 
sixteen  32-pounders;  and  Snyder,  six  32-pounders, — all  mounted 
except  those  mentioned  in  Baker  and  Davis.  The  details  were : 
from  Company  A,  eighteen  men  ;  C,  eighteen  men  ;  D,  seven  men  ; 
E,  twelve  men  ;  I,  eighteen  men  ;  but  the  details  generally  numbered 
100  men.  When  the  boys  mounted  the  parapets  of  these  immense 
fortifications,  bristling  with  the  big  barkers,  they  felt  that  a  great 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  25 

responsibility  rested  upon  them  in  the  defence  of  the  capital,  and 
tremblingly  assumed  the  task;  but  upon  becoming  familiar  with  the 
surroundings  they  felt  equal  to  the  job,  and  only  wanted  a  few 
brigades  of  Johnny  Rebs  to  come  along  and  be  knocked  sky-high 
by  these  big  guns,  yawning  and  rusting  for  something  to  do.  No 
Johnnies  came,  though,  the  only  shootable  things  appearing  being 
crows  and  rabbits,  and  as  the  first  flew  too  high  and  the  latter  ran 
too  fast,  the  embryo  artillerymen  had  nothing  to  practise  on  ;  but  a 
couple  of  nights'  guard  duty  in  the  rain  and  mud,  without  any  kind 
of  shelter,  chilled  to  the  bone  and  as  miserable  and  wretched  as  it 
was  possible  to  be,  took  the  romance  out  of  the  business  of  taking 
care  of  these  forts. 

When  not  on  duty,  the  remainder  of  the  men  were  industriously 
kept  on  drill  until  April  15,  when  the  colonel  was  ordered  to  report 
at  once  to  General  Duryea  at  Cloud's  Mills.  In  the  mean  time 
Major  Gile's  battalion  had  been  on  duty  at  Alexandria  until  early  in 
April,  when  it  was  ordered  to  picket  the  line  of  the  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad,  which  duty  it  faithfully  performed  until  ordered 
to  report  at  Cloud's  Mills  simultaneously  with  the  other  wing  of  the 
regiment. 

COPY  OF  ORDERS. 
SPECIAL  ORDER,  43. 

The  88th  Regiment,  upon  being  relieved  by  the  99th  Pa.  Vols.,  will  proceed  to 
Manassas  by  way  of  Alexandria,  and  guard  the  R.  R.  from  Lancaster  Station  to 
Catlett's,  head-quarters  at  Manassas.  Col.  McLean  will  report  to  Maj.-Gen. 
McDowell  on  taking  post,  and  will  previously  report  to  Brig.-Gen.  Wadsworth  for 
verbal  instructions.  Those  companies  of  the  88th  at  Alexandria  have  been  ordered 
to  Manassas. 

April  14, 1862.  By  order 

BRIG.-GEN.  DOUBLEDAY. 

To  COL.  MCLEAN. 

It  is  my  intention  that  your  regiment  should  be  reunited  and  report  t. 
Duryea  at  Cloud's  Mills.     He  is  moving  out  now.     The  order  to  report  to  Genl. 
McDowell  is  countermanded. 

April  16, 1862.  J.  S.  WADSWORTH, 

Brig.  Gen. 

Passing  through  Alexandria,  Colonel  McLean's  battalion  pro 
ceeded  a  mile  or  two  out  the  railroad  and  encamped.  On  the 


26  HISTORY  OF   THE 

of  April,  Major  Gile  arrived  with  the  other  companies  and  the  regi 
ment  was  reunited. 

The  ground  assigned  for  the  camp  was  a  horrible  place,  very  aptly 
called  by  some  Camp  Dead  Horse,  because  of  the  many  rotten  car 
casses  of  those  animals  lying  around,  tainting  the  air  with  the  most 
sickening  and  poisonous  stench.  Tents  were  willingly  struck  at  this 
miserable  place  on  the  ipth,  when  the  regiment  reported  to  General 
Duryea  at  Cloud's  Mills,  being  assigned  to  the  right  of  his  brigade ; 
the  loyth  Pennsylvania,  an  exceedingly  fine  body  of  men,  on  the  left. 

General  Duryea,  being  a  strict  disciplinarian,  desired  to  ascertain 
the  proficiency  of  the  regiment  in  the  movements  of  the  battalion, 
and  requested  the  colonel,  on  the  following  day,  to  exercise  the  regi 
ment  for  two  hours  under  his  personal  observation.  Accordingly, 
at  the  appointed  time  the  regiment  was  drilled  by  the  colonel  in  all 
the  movements  of  forming,  deploying,  ploying,  changing,  wheeling, 
and  other  difficult  movements.  At  the  end  of  the  drill  the  general 
and  his  staff  approached  and,  after  being  received  by  the  proper 
salute,  complimented  the  officers  and  men  upon  their  proficiency  in 
battalion  movements  and  welcomed  the  regiment  as  worthy  the  post 
of  honor  in  his  brigade.  This  was  a  well-deserved  compliment,  the 
regiment  now  being  in  its  prime :  848  men  on  the  rolls,  of  whom 
799  were  present,  the  highest  number  mustered  during  its  entire  his 
tory.  On  April  23,  Captain  John  S.  Dull  joined  the  regiment,  and 
Company  G,  being  told  off,  took  its  place  in  the  line.  The  captain 
brought  with  him  Lieutenants  Korn  and  Wingate,  and  C.  S.  Marks, 
H.  N.  Blackford,  John  Nice,  F.  Ferkler,  C.  Poulson,  G.  W.  Tyler, 
G.  A.  Scholl,  H.  Hutt,  A.  N.  Reigert,  and  D.  Mundell. 

After  a  short  stay  at  Cloud's  Mills,  on  April  25  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  picket  the  railroad  from  Bull  Run  to  Catlett's  Station, 
Company  E  being  left  near  the  bridge,  the  other  companies  posted 
at  intervals  along  the  road.  The  enemy  had  evacuated  this  position 
a  few  weeks  before  and  gone  to  a  more  congenial  place,  but  there 
were  many  points  of  interest  and  much  abandoned  and  ruined  war 
material  scattered  around  everywhere,  indicating  that  a  large  force 
had  garrisoned  this  place,  with  every  indication  of  a  permanent 
occupation. 

The  winter-quarters  of  the  Confederates  consisted  of  many  clusters 


I.IKUTKNANT-COLOXKL    JoSKl'H    A.     McI,KAN 

(Killed  at  Second  Hull  Run.) 


MAJOR  DAVID  A.  (  ',KIM-TI  n. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  U.  S.  VoU 


MAJOR  I-JKNK/KT  F.   Fousr. 
Hrevet  P,rigadier-(  ieneral  U.  S.  V( 


ADJUTANT  CYKTS  S.   DKTKE 


FIK1.D    OFFICERS 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  27 

of  commodious  and  comfortable  log  houses,  built  like  villages,  and 
large  enough  to  quarter  a  very  strong  force,  while  extensive  forts 
and  continuous  lines  of  breastworks  commanded  the  country  in  every 
direction.  Bull  Run  battle-field,  some  five  or  six  miles  distant,  was 
an  object  of  especial  interest,  and  many  pilgrimages  were  made  by 
the  men  to  that  sanguinary  field,  the  points  of  interest  being  the 
plateau  upon  which  were  located  the  Henry  and  Robinson  farms  and 
buildings. 

While  guarding  the  road,  Company  B  was  posted  at  Sangster's 
Station,  and  while  there  learned  that  a  party  of  Confederate  soldiers 
were  accustomed  to  make  occasional  nocturnal  visits  to  their  homes 
in  the  vicinity.  It  was  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to  capture  them, 
and  one  dark  night  Sergeant  Boone  with  a  select  squad  of  volunteers 
undertook  the  job,  but  by  some  unknown  signal  the  enemy  were 
warned  of  the  trap  laid  for  them  and  gave  Boone  and  his  party  a 
wide  berth. 

The  regiment  remained  on  this  pleasant  duty  until  the  3d  of  May, 
when,  pulling  up  stakes,  it  returned  to  Cloud's  Mills  and  rejoined  the 
brigade. 

While  on  guard  duty  along  the  railroad  the  members  of  B  Com 
pany  spent  much  of  their  spare  time  in  fishing  and  gunning.  Gray 
squirrels  were  the  favorite  game,  their  bushes  being  fastened  to  the 
caps,  in  imitation  of  Colonel  Kane's  famous  "  Bucktail"  regiment. 
The  company  officers  felt  proud  of  the  unique  appearance  of  the 
men  adorned  with  this  novel  head-dress,  and  determined  to  give  the 
colonel  a  pleasant  surprise  by  appearing  on  dress  parade  with  the 
new  plumage.  Accordingly,  at  the  first  dress  parade  after  returning 
to  camp,  every  man  in  the  company  who  appeared  in  line  was  topped 
off  with  a  squirrel-tail,  and  the  left  of  the  regiment  appeared  in 
striking  contrast  with  the  other  companies  on  the  right.  The  usual 
formalities  of  dress  parade  were  performed,  but  those  who  were 
stationed  near  the  colonel  noticed  that  his  glances  in  the  direction 
of  Company  B  were  neither  gentle  nor  kind,  and  at  the  proper  time 
he  summoned  the  commander  of  the  company  before  him  and  said, 
"  Captain,  you  will  have  those  things  removed  from  the  caps  of  your 
men  at  once,  and  hereafter  appear  in  the  regulation  uniform  only." 
The  tails  went  instanter. 


28  HISTORY  OF   THE 

In  camp  the  soldiers  were  puzzled  to  know  what  the  next  move 
would  be,  countless  rumors  circulating  as  to  where  we  were  going. 
The  wise  ones,  who  talked  knowingly,  as  if  their  information  came 
direct  from  head-quarters,  reasoned  that,  McClellan  having  taken 
the  greater  part  of  the  army  to  the  Peninsula,  the  regiment  would 
soon  follow,  and  that  Richmond  would  then  be  captured  and  the 
war  brought  to  a  speedy  and  successful  termination,  though  many  of 
the  despondent  ones  were  very  downhearted  at  the  prospect  of  the 
war  being  over  so  soon,  and  confidently  predicted  that  we  shouldn't 
get  even  as  much  as  a  smell  of  a  real  battle.  This  despondency 
was  especially  noted  after  the  news  of  the  Union  victories  at  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson,  and  many  of  the  men  bitterly  lamented  the 
unfortunate  position  of  the  regiment,  predicting  that  the  Confed 
eracy  would  go  to  eternal  smash  before  we  could  see  a  real  live  reb. 
But  everything  comes  to  them  that  wait,  and  plenty  of  it  came  to 
these  impatient  ones  in  good  time. 

On  May  6  more  recruits  were  received  for  G  Company,  among 
them  being  Daniel  J.  McLean,  C.  Wiant,  and  Evan  S.  Yerger. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  29 


CHAPTER    IV. 

TO    FREDERICKSBURG  :    MAY,    1862. 

HOWEVER,  rumors  and  speculations  were  ended  when,  on  May  7, 
the  colonel  received  orders  to  report  at  Aquia  Creek,  and,  striking 
tents,  line  was  formed  and  the  band,  piping  the  inspiriting  Fisher's 
Hornpipe,  led  the  way  to  Alexandria  again.  Colonel  Gregory's  gist 
Regiment  was  quartered  there,  and  honored  the  command  with  an 
escort  through  the  city. 

In  the  afternoon  the  regiment  paraded  on  Washington  Street, 
where  a  magnificent  sword  was  formally  presented  to  Colonel  McLean 
by  Mayor  McKenzie,  in  behalf  of  the  loyal  citizens  of  the  town, 
the  colonel  receiving  the  gift  and  making  a  suitable  reply. 

On  the  following  morning  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  steam 
boat  North  America  and  steamed  down  the  broad  Potomac.  The 
frowning  battlements  of  Fort  Washington,  all  lined  with  great  can 
non,  were  soon  passed,  and  when  opposite  Mount  Vernon  the  bell 
of  the  boat  was  slowly  tolled,  a  custom  of  all  the  boats  passing  this 
historic  plantation. 

Aquia  Creek  was  reached  in  due  time,  and  upon  debarking  the 
companies  marched  to  the  hills  back  of  the  landing  and,  having  no 
tents,  erected  brush  arbors  as  shelters  from  the  sun.  The  56th  and 
9oth  Pennsylvania  were  encamped  here,  both  regiments  receiving 
the  new-comers  with  open  tents  and  hearts.  On  the  hills  were  quite 
a  village  of  log  huts,  erected  by  the  Confederates  when  they  occu 
pied  this  point,  and  on  the  9th  a  fire  was  kindled  by  some  means 
among  these  cabins,  which  for  a  time  threatened  to  burn  the  surface 
of  the  entire  neighborhood,  and  which  required  hard  work  to  ex 
tinguish  by  details  from  the  regiments  encamped  near  by.  While 
the  fire  raged  there  was  lively  hustling  on  the  part  of  the  numerous 
rabbits,  squirrels,  snakes,  birds,  and  reptiles,  which  fled  in  terror  from 
the  flames. 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  men  very  appropriately  called  this  place  Whippoonvill  Hill, 
from  the  numerous  vvhippoonvills  that  nested  here  and  sang  their 
plaintive  songs  all  night  long;  but  the  regiment  bid  good-by  to 
these  melancholy  serenaders  on  May  n,  taking  up  the  march  to  the 
Rappahannock  near  the  little  city  of  Fredericksburg,  names  des 
tined  to  become  famous  in  the  annals  of  the  war.  This  was  the 
first  solid  march  the  boys  had  enjoyed,  but  the  least  said  about  the 
enjoyment  the  better,  they  being  burdened  with  enormous  knap 
sacks,  containing  about  everything  a  soldier  needed  and  much  that 
he  didn't  need,  including  changes  of  clothing,  letters,  relics,  etc.,  the 
supply  of  the  last  named  being  especially  abundant.  While  they  had 
hoarded  and  prized  these  treasures  for  the  past  seven  or  eight  months, 
they  quickly  found  on  this  march  that  they  had  no  need  for  nearly 
three-thirds  of  the  contents  of  their  "  trunks,"  and  the  road  from 
Aquia  to  Falmouth  was  strewn  with  enough  miscellaneous  articles  of 
clothing  to  stock  an  untold  number  of  hand-me-down  shops,  could 
their  proprietors  have  been  present  to  secure  the  spoils. 

Under  these  loads  the  march  proved  very  hard,  and  before  the 
river  was  reached  the  boys  were  nearly  played  out,  and  eagerly  ques 
tioned  every  native  who  hove  in  sight  as  to  how  far  it  was  to  Fred 
ericksburg  ;  but  small  comfort  was  derived  from  the  replies,  as  one 
would  "  reckon  it  was  nigh  onto  five  mile,"  and  after  tramping  that 
distance  and  again  inquiring,  the  reply  would  in  all  probability  be, 
"A  right  smart  chance;  about  five  or  six  miles,  I  reckon."  This 
conflicting  opinion  about  distances  was  a  peculiarity  of  the  Vir 
ginians  that  held  good  during  the  war.  But  at  last  the  river  was 
reached;  the  regiment,  being  minus  tents,  bivouacked  in  the  fields 
opposite  the  town  and  again  erected  brush  shelters,  which,  while 
protecting  the  men  from  old  Sol's  scorching  beams,  didn't  turn  the 
rain-water  worth  a  cent. 

Fredericksburg  is  an  old  town  of  very  small  size,  back  of  which  is  a 
low  range  of  hills,  made  famous  by  the  sanguinary  battles  fought  there 
later  on.  In  the  river,  below  the  town,  were  the  charred  wrecks  of 
several  large  steamboats,  destroyed  by  the  rebs  to  prevent  them  from 
falling  into  Uncle  Sam's  hands ;  they  also  burned  the  railroad  bridge, 
but  this  was  quickly  replaced  by  a  substantial  trestle  bridge,  con 
structed  by  the  Pioneer  Corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  31 

The  Sunday  service  on  the  i8th  was  conducted  by  Chaplain 
Clothier,  and  after  church  86,000  rounds  of  ball  cartridges  were 
issued,  the  regiment  then  being  well  supplied  with  both  spiritual  and 
carnal  ammunition  for  the  anticipated  warfare. 

By  order  of  General  Ricketts,  on  May  20,  Quartermaster  D.  D. 
Jones  was  appointed  brigade  commissary,  succeeding  Lieutenant 
L.  Frank  Binder,  relieved  at  his  own  request.  A  very  large  force 
had  now  assembled  at  this  place,  and  the  men  were  in  another 
ferment  of  expectancy  as  to  the  next  move. 

General  McDowell  reviewed  Ord's  division  on  the  2oth  of  May, 
and  on  the  2ist  the  overcoats  and  surplus  baggage  were  sent  to 
Washington.  Shields's  division  arrived  on  the  22d,  and  on  the  23d, 
President  Lincoln,  accompanied  by  many  famous  civil  and  military 
people,  reviewed  the  entire  army,  the  divisions  forming  long  lines, 
and  after  the  President  had  critically  inspected  each  battalion,  the 
regiments  broke  into  column,  company  front,  and  passed  in  review, — 
a  magnificent  spectacle,  as  the  40,000  soldiers,  in  perfect  alignment, 
with  glistening  bayonets  and  fluttering  colors,  marched  proudly  on 
before  the  President. 

After  this  review  it  was  expected  that  the  corps  would  join  Mc- 
Clellan,  and  if  this  had  been  done,  it  is  very  probable  that  the  doom 
of  Richmond  would  have  been  sealed  and  the  seat  of  war  carried 
farther  south.  This  movement  was  contemplated  and  fully  intended, 
orders  having  been  issued  to  move  south  on  May  26 ;  but  the  Con 
federates  prevented  this  march,  playing  on  the  fears  of  the  Wash- 
ingtonians  by  sending  the  redoubtable  Jackson  on  an  excursion  into 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  with  such  effect  that  the  greater  part  of 
McDowell's  corps  was  sent  to  meet  this  irruption  and  trap  "Old 
Jack,"  who,  after  smashing  the  combination,  slipped  from  the  Valley 
and  moved  post-haste  to  the  rescue  of  Lee  at  Richmond.  The  final 
results  of  all  these  manoeuvres  have  passed  into  history. 

With  this  digression  we  will  again  fall  in  with  the  regiment,  which 
still  lay  opposite  Fredericksburg,  anxiously  waiting  the  signal  for  the 
grand  march  southward.  The  two  bits  of  canvas  called  shelter  tents 
by  the  powers  that  be,  but  styled  dog  tents  by  the  boys,  were  issued 
on  the  24th  of  May,  and  the  following  day  the  general  was 
sounded  ;  the  men,  breaking  up  housekeeping  and  packing  their 


32  HISTORY  OF   THE 

carpet-bags,  formed  line  and  waited  several  hours  for  the  head  of 
column  to  pull  out,  in  what  direction  no  fellow  could  tell.  After  a 
tiresome  delay  the  drums  rattled  the  "fall-in,"  and  about  three 
o'clock,  with  the  head-quarters  flag  on  the  lead,  the  line  stretched 
out  towards  the  river-bank ;  but  presently,  much  to  the  disappoint 
ment  of  the  troops,  the  column  turned  towards  the  rear  and  headed 
for  the  Potomac,  at  Aquia  Creek  Landing. 

Under  the  rays  of  a  scorching  sun,  through  clouds  of  stifling  dust, 
with  knapsacks  and  accoutrements  that  felt  as  if  they  weighed  a  ton, 
the  men  marched  on  the  quickstep  to  the  landing,  and  by  the  de 
vious  way  taken  it  must  have  been  at  least  fifteen  miles  if  it  was  a 
step,  though  some  of  the  boys  said  it  seemed  as  if  "  it  was  nigh  onto 
a  hundred  miles."  The  result  was  that  many  of  the  soldiers  were 
completely  used  up  and  compelled  to  fall  out  by  the  way,  though 
Major  Gile,  from  his  position  on  the  left  of  the  regiment,  encour 
aged  the  men  by  kindly  informing  them  that  this  was  one  of  the 
marches  they  would  read  about. 

About  ten  o'clock  at  night  the  vicinity  of  the  landing  was  reached, 
and  the  weary  soldiers,  throwing  themselves  on  the  grass,  quietly 
rested  until  morning,  sleeping  the  sleep  of  the  tired,  if  not  of  the 
just. 

The  next  morning,  Monday  the  25th  of  May,  the  various  regi 
ments,  taking  boats,  steamed  up  the  broad  Potomac  to  Washington, 
then  back  again  to  Alexandria,  where  the  troops  landed,  and,  taking 
the  cars,  reached  Manassas  Junction  at  midnight  and  bivouacked  in 
the  fields. 

COPY   OF   ORDER. 
HEAD-QUARTERS  20  Div.  IST  ARMY  CORPS,  May  28,  '62. 

SPECIAL  ORDER,  No.  6. 

The  division  will  march  for  Front  Royal.  Ricketts's  ist  Brig,  will  take  the 
advance  with  one  of  Major  Tillson's  Batteries.  Two  companies  of  Allen's  ist 
Maine  Cav.  will  be  detailed  as  advance  guards.  HartsufPs  3d  Brig.,  to  which 
Matthews's  and  Leppien's  Batteries  and  Allen's  Cav.  will  be  attached,  will  follow. 
Gen.  Duryea's  2d  Brig,  will  bring  up  the  rear.  Reveille  will  be  beaten  at  four 
o'clock  and  the  division  will  start  at  five  each  morning. 

By  command  of 

MAJ.-GEN.  ORD. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  33 


CHAPTER   V. 

THE   SHENANDOAH    VALLEY:    MAY    AND    JUNE,    1862. 

THE  division  concentrated  at  Manassas  Junction  on  the  2yth  of 
May,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28th  the  bugles  called  into  line 
and  the  march  was  on  for  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  along  the  line  of 
the  railroad.  As  the  long  column,  with  martial  music  and  fluttering 
colors,  wound  over  the  plain,  it  presented  a  spectacle  of  military 
pomp  and  splendor  not  often  seen  and  in  sharp  and  sad  contrast  to 
the  sad  sight  presented  by  this  same  division  on  this  same  ground 
a  few  months  later  on. 

Now,  regiment  after  regiment,  battery,  and  squadron  promptly 
took  position  in  the  sinuous  line  of  blue,  while  the  glinting  sunbeams 
merrily  flashed  and  reflected  in  glittering  rays  of  light  on  the  shining 
surface  of  miles  of  polished  steel,  intermingling  with  the  bright 
colors  of  the  flags,  as  they  were  proudly  carried  along  the  marching 
line.  There  were  many  excellent  regiments  present,  including  the 
nth,  Qoth,  and  icyth  Pennsylvania;  26th,  83d  (pth  New  York  State 
Militia),  94th,  97th,  io4th,  and  io5th  New  York;  i2th  and  i3th 
Massachusetts;  ist  Maine  Cavalry,  and  many  others, — in  all,  about 
9000  strong,  commanded  by  General  Ord. 

At  night  the  division  halted  near  Gainesville ;  the  following  morn 
ing  the  drums  called  the  men  up  at  the  first  blush  of  daylight,  and 
after  a  hasty  breakfast  the  march  was  resumed,  the  little  hamlet  of 
Haymarket  being  soon  reached  and  the  column  halting  about  three 
o'clock  P.M.,  after  passing  through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  a  gorge  in  the 
Bull  Run  Mountains,  having  made  about  fifteen  miles. 

The  marching  was  not  severe,  but  the  men  had  enormous  knap 
sacks,  besides  being  encumbered  with  extra  ammunition,  rations, 
accoutrements,  and  a  twelve-pound  rifle.  It  was  no  light  task  to 
carry  this  burden,  that  must  have  weighed  fifty  or  sixty  pounds,  but 
.on  a  long  march  felt  as  if  it  weighed  a  couple  of  hundred,  and  it 


34  HISTORY  OF  THE 

was  interesting  to  see  the  boys,  when  a  halt  was  ordered,  open  their 
sacks  and  carefully  survey  the  contents  to  see  what  could  be  most 
readily  dispensed  with.  The  first  article  to  go  would  possibly  be  a 
woollen  blanket,  then  an  extra  pair  of  trousers,  followed  by  a  dress- 
coat  or  other  heavy  clothing.  At  all  succeeding  halts  a  like  critical 
inspection  would  be  made,  until  almost  everything  was  cast  away, 
the  last  to  go  being  the  knapsack;  all  extra  "duds"  were  dispensed 
with  except  the  ammunition  and  rations,  though  many  of  the  men 
ate  the  surplus  stock  of  the  latter  to  avoid  carrying  them  in  their 
haversacks. 

Reveille  sounded  early  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  and  at  six 
o'clock  the  march  was  resumed,  the  sun  being  very  hot  until  the 
afternoon,  when  a  cold  rain  drenched  the  men  to  the  skin,  and  con 
tinued,  with  intermittent  spells  of  sunshine,  for  nine  successive  days, 
making  the  marching  in  the  mud  and  lying  on  the  wet  ground 
extremely  uncomfortable  and  unhealthy. 

During  the  day  the  column  passed  through  the  villages  of  White 
Plains  and  Salem,  halting  for  the  night  near  Oak  Hill,  and  pitching 
tents  in  the  fields  near  this  place.  After  the  shelters  were  arranged, 
a  fine  flock  of  sheep  was  discovered  in  a  field  close  by,  and  some 
of  the  boys  determined  to  have  a  ration  of  mutton  for  supper. 
Accordingly,  the  flock  was  corralled  in  a  corner  and  a  cautious 
advance  made  upon  it,  care  being  taken  to  select  some  of  the 
choicest  lambs  for  the  prospective  victims.  All  things  were  about 
ready  for  a  grand  grab,  when  the  entire  herd  made  a  simultaneous 
and  successful  break  for  liberty,  all  escaping  except  one  old  ram  of 
ante  bellum  days,  the  ancient  wether  of  the  flock,  who,  not  being  as 
spry  as  the  younger  sheep,  fell  a  victim  to  the  greed  of  the  foragers. 
A  second  foray  on  the  flock,  however,  proved  successful  in  securing 
something  more  tender,  and  the  men  had  an  abundant  supply  of 
mutton  boiled,  mutton  broiled,  and  mutton  fried  for  supper  and 
breakfast. 

The  march  was  begun  at  daybreak  the  next  morning,  and  upon 
reaching  a  small  place  called  Piedmont,  the  knapsacks  were  left 
and  a  forced  march  made,  with  Front  Royal  as  the  objective-point. 
Markham  was  passed  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  when  Manassas 
Gap  was  reached  night  had  settled  down  over  the  mountains, 


EIGHTY- EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  35 

making  the  passage  dangerous  and  difficult ;  but  the  soldiers  trudged 
wearily  along  over  the  ties  in  silence,  soaking  wet  and  uncomfort 
able,  until  late  at  night,  when  the  column  turned  off  into  the  fields 
and  halted  near  Front  Royal,  the  men  being  so  completely  exhausted 
that  they  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  in  the  rain  and  slept  until 
morning,  many  of  them  awakening  to  find  themselves  lying  in  pools 
of  water. 

The  next  day  was  the  ist  of  June,  and,  forming  column,  the  division 
marched  through  Front  Royal,  taking  position  in  line  of  battle  over 
the  Shenandoah,  at  the  place  where  Colonel  Kenly's  force  had  been 
routed  by  the  enemy  a  few  days  before.  The  line  was  quickly 
formed,  colors  unfurled,  batteries  galloped  into  position,  and,  un- 
limbering,  the  cannoneers  stood  by  their  guns  waiting  for  the  advent 
of  the  enemy  ;  but  at  this  hour  Jackson  was  no  nearer  than  Stras- 
burg,  ten  miles  away,  with  no  thought  of  coming  to  Front  Royal  to 
accommodate  McDowell  with  a  fight,  but  being  industriously  en 
gaged  in  "gitting"  up  the  valley,  away  from  the  forces  that  would 
soon  make  it  very  hot  for  him  if  he  tarried  longer  in  this  neigh 
borhood. 

While  lying  here,  General  Shields,  with  his  wounded  hand  wrapped 
in  bandages,  came  along  at  the  head  of  his  famous  division  and 
passed  through  our  lines  on  the  quickstep,  marching  up  the  Luray 
Valley  to  head  off  the  Confederates  at  Harrisonburg.  The  men 
heartily  cheered  the  gray  old  soldier  and  his  brave  troops,  but  after 
they  passed  by  the  men  quietly  settled  down  to  rest  as  best  they 
could  in  the  rain  and  mud.  Having  neither  blankets  nor  tents,  the 
soldiers  suffered  very  much,  and,  to  make  matters  worse,  the  rations 
fell  short,  but  five  crackers  per  day  with  a  meagre  supply  of  coffee 
and  meat  being  allowed  for  each  man,  and  sometimes  this  scanty 
allowance  was  all  that  was  issued  for  two  days'  subsistence. 

The  constant  rains  causing  a  freshet  in  the  Shenandoah,  the  regi 
ment  was  brought  over  to  the  south  bank  before  the  bridges  were 
washed  away;  but  the  26th  New  York  was  not  so  fortunate,  being 
left  on  the  opposite  bank  to  take  care  of  itself. 

The  camp  equipage  and  knapsacks  arrived  on  the  5th,  a  camp 
being  laid  out  in  the  woods  near  Front  Royal,  and  while  here  the 
paymaster  arrived  and  gave  each  man  two  months'  pay.  The  weather 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE 

cleared  off  balmy  and  warm  on  the  8th,  and  from  this  time  our  ex 
perience  in  this  beautiful  valley,  with  its  waving  crops  and  pleasant 
scenery,  was  of  the  most  charming  nature,  in  part  compensating  for 
the  hardships  and  toil  the  soldiers  had  experienced  the  past  two 
weeks. 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  1862,  marching  orders  were  received,  and, 
striking  tents,  the  division  took  the  cars  bound  for  Manassas  Junc 
tion,  the  chase  after  Stonewall  having  proved  a  lamentable  failure, 
to  say  the  best  of  it. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  37 


CHAPTER   VI. 

FROM   MANASSAS   TO   CULPEPER :    JUNE   TO   AUGUST,    1862. 

THE  boys  did  not  enjoy  the  night  ride  in  the  freight  cars  much, 
though  it  was  a  free  excursion  at  Uncle  Sam's  expense,  and  were 
glad  to  reach  Manassas  about  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  June 
19.  At  daylight  the  camp  was  located  on  the  ground  that  had  been 
occupied  prior  to  the  trip  to  the  Valley,  but  in  the  afternoon  it  was 
moved  about  two  miles  from  the  Junction,  and  the  «men,  presuming 
that  they  were  fixed  for  a  while,  laid  out  a  very  neat  encampment ; 
but,  much  to  the  vexation  of  all  except  the  moving  spirit,  the  next 
morning  another  shift  was  made,  this  time  near  some  rebel  huts, 
these  being  occupied  by  the  officers,  while  the  soldiers  pitched  their 
white  tents  near  by.  Here,  Captains  White  and  Powell  and  Lieu 
tenant  Shearman,  having  resigned  their  commissions,  left  the  regi 
ment  and  went  home.  On  the  2ist  of  June  the  splendid  band 
belonging  to  the  regiment,  in  conformity  to  a  general  order  from 
the  War  Department,  also  left.  The  boys  were  greatly  attached  to 
and  justly  proud  of  their  band,  and  sorrowfully  saw  the  good  fellows 
composing  this  famous  organization  turn  their  faces  towards  Berks 
County.  Before  leaving  they  serenaded  the  command,  performing 
about  all  the  music  in  the  book  with  a  vim  that  was  long  remembered, 
the  finale  being  "  Home,  Sweet  Home;"  then  they  packed  up  and 
marched  away,  followed  by  the  huzzas  of  the  soldiers  so  long  as  they 
were  in  sight. 

General  Ord  having  been  transferred  to  another  department,  on 
June  23,  General  Ricketts  assumed  command  of  the  division,  General 
Tower  being  assigned  to  command  the  brigade. 

On  July  i  the  number  present  with  the  regiment  was  664,  of  which 
615  were  for  duty,  indicating  a  loss  of  upward  of  100  men  since  the 
24th  of  May,  entirely  caused  by  the  exposure  and  hardships  incident  to 
the  march  to  the  Valley,  as  not  a  gun  had  been  fired  at  a  deadlier  foe 


38  HISTORY  OF   THE 

than  a  pig  or  a  chicken.  To  make  up  this  loss  a  detail  for  recruit 
ing  service  was  ordered,  consisting  of  Lieutenant  Mass,  Lieutenant 
Harkisheimer,  Sergeant- Major  Levi,  and  Sergeant  Nuskey,  to  report 
to  the  Adjutant-General's  office  at  Washington. 

While  encamped  here  great  preparations  were  made  to  celebrate 
in  a  fitting  manner  the  "  Glorious  Fourth,"  a  grand  program  being 
arranged,  including  speeches,  fireworks,  and  something  else  that  the 
commissary  furnished,  the  last  being  mostly  for  the  officers.  The 
camp  had  been  tastefully  decorated  with  evergreens,  arches,  bowers, 
and  other  trimmings,  presenting  a  beautiful  and  unique  appearance. 
But  man  proposes  and  the  general  disposes,  for  early  on  the  4th  the 
general  sounded,  and  in  one  hour  an  angry  and  disgusted  division 
was  marching  southward,  scorched  by  the  sun  and  smothered  by  the 
dust,  instead  of  having  a  good  time  jollifying  in  camp.  After  an 
easy  march,  the  column  halted  in  the  evening  near  Gainesville  and 
rested  for  the  night. 

At  day-dawn  on  the  5th  the  bugles  called  the  men  up,  and  after 
feasting  on  coffee,  hardtack,  and  pork,  the  march  was  continued, 
passing  through  New  Baltimore  and  Buckland,  quiet  little  hamlets 
of  a  few  houses  each,  and  arriving  at  Warrenton  late  in  the  day. 
Upon  approaching  this  pleasant  town  the  lines  were  dressed  and, 
with  flying  colors  and  rattling  drums,  the  column  marched  through 
the  main  street,  halting  a  couple  of  miles  beyond,  having  marched 
some  sixteen  or  seventeen  miles  since  morning.  During  the  march 
the  sun  was  blistering  hot  and  the  clouds  of  thick  dust  stifled  the 
men,  causing  many  to  fall  out  of  the  ranks  to  seek  water  and  rest; 
consequently,  when  the  halt  was  ordered  there  was  but  a  corporal's 
guard  present  with  each  company.  This  annoyed  Colonel  George 
exceedingly,  and  when  the  stragglers  came  into  camp  they  had  the 
law  laid  down  to  them  in  a  way  they  did  not  soon  forget. 

The  brigade  remained  here  until  July  22,  when  the  camp  was 
moved  to  near  Waterloo  Bridge  on  the  Rappahannock,  the  ground 
assigned  to  the  88th  Regiment  being  a  miserable  plot,  covered  with 
briers,  bushes,  and  stumps. 

On  July  27,  George  W.  Boger  was  appointed  butcher  for  the 
brigade,  relieving  Andrew  Carter,  of  Company  G.  Here  the  time 
was  passed  in  drills,  reviews,  and  in  preparing  for  the  inevitable 


QUAKTEKMASTKK    AuMiKT    C.   WliSTHK. 


CHAI'I.AIN    C'llAKI.I-S    W.    Cl.OTIUKK. 


SUKGEON  JOHN  WINDSOR  RAWI.INS. 


an-HNANT  HAKUY  O'Niui.i.. 
(Companies  I  and  K.) 
Quartermaster-Sergeant . 


JOHN   K.    KKI.I.I-K. 
Principal  Mtisirian 


STAFl-    OFK1CKRS. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS,  39 

conflict  that  every  one  felt  would  soon  be  on.  General  Pope  was 
organizing  the  Army  of  Virginia  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  coming 
campaign  as  circumstances  might  direct.  The  advance  on  the  Pen 
insula  against  Richmond  had  proved  a  failure,  and  there  were  good 
reasons  for  expecting  that  Lee  would  soon  turn  his  attention  to  this 
army,  and  especially  to  General  Pope.  The  general  reviewed  Rick- 
etts's  division,  now  in  the  zenith  of  its  strength,  on  August  i,  and 
complimented  General  Ricketts  on  the  discipline  and  excellent 
bearing  of  his  soldiers. 

While  in  this  camp  a  detail  from  the  88th  guarded  a  large  herd  of 
cattle  corralled  in  a  field  west  of  the  camp.     One  night  thirty-four 
head  upset  the  fence,  and  in  the  morning,  when  the  sentinels  awoke, 
they  had  gone  "  over  the  hills  and  far  away."    The  frightened  guards 
at  once  went  in  pairs  to  scour  the  country  for  the  lost  steers,  their 
steps  quickened  by  fearful  thoughts  of  terrible  punishment  by  court- 
martial  and  the  like.      At  day-dawn  two  of  the  scurrying  guards 
struck  the  trail  of  the  fugitives  and  followed  it  through  the  woods, 
expecting  to  overtake  them  before  they  had  gone  far ;  but  the  tracks 
led  them  mile  upon  mile,  over  the  crest  of  the  mountain  and  through 
the  valley  beyond,  until,  after  a  weary  chase,  they  were  discovered  at 
last  quietly  resting  in  the  yard  of  a  farm-house,  around  which  many 
people  were  seen,  it  appearing  as  if  the  cattle  had  been  purposely 
driven  there.     The  two  pursuers,  being  entirely  unarmed,  were  at 
first  inclined  to  make  a  quiet  retreat  and  get  re-enforcements,  but 
after  a  brief  council  of  war  on  the  steer  question,  they  determined 
upon  the  recovery  of  the  cattle  before  they  could  be  driven  farther 
away ;  so  each  one  sticking  a  big  corn-cob  under  his  blouse  to  re 
semble  a  huge  pistol,  they  boldly  marched  up  and  claimed  the  herd, 
in  the  mean  time  loudly  suggesting  to  one  another  the  propriety  of 
shooting  one  or  two  recalcitrant  beeves  who  exhibited  a  disposition 
to  go  every  way  but  the  right  way.     The  confident  bearing  of  the 
two  blue-coats  had  the  effect  of  keeping  the  occupants  of  the  farm 
house  quiet,  and,  after  a  feeble  show  of  resistance,  they  allowed  the 
herd  to  be  driven  away,  to  the  intense  relief  of  the  guards,  who  soon 
met  an  armed  force  coming  from  camp  to  their  assistance. 

Having  had  no  breakfast,  the  guards  were  very  hungry,  and,  stop 
ping  at  a  comfortable-looking  farm-house,  politely  asked  for  break- 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE 

fast.  Bread  and  milk  was  all  that  could  be  obtained,  and  when  this 
had  vanished,  "mine  host"  presented  his  bill, — twenty-five  cents 
for  each  soldier  fed.  Nathan  White,  of  Company  I,  acted  as  treas 
urer  of  the  squad,  but  all  the  available  funds  was  a  bogus  quarter, 
which  he  kindly  gave  the  gentleman,  telling  him  that  the  next  time 
he  passed  that  way  he  would  pay  the  rest. 

Dr.  Seltzer,  the  regimental  surgeon,  having  resigned  and  gone 
home,  on  July  27,  Dr.  David  Kennedy  was  temporarily  assigned  for 
duty  with  the  regiment,  by  order  of  the  brigade  surgeon. 

After  a  further  stay  in  this  pleasant  place,  the  movement  south 
ward  was  begun.  On  August  5  the  division  struck  tents,  and,  march 
ing  through  Jeffersonville,  halted,  near  Culpeper  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  6th.  The  marching  was  not  severe,  but  the  men  suffered  in 
tensely  from  the  hot  sun,  the  smothering  dust,  and  the  lack  of  good 
drinking-water.  This  part  of  Virginia  is  noted  for  a  scarcity  of 
pure  spring  water,  the  springs  and  wells  being  few  and  far  between, 
and  when  a  clear  stream  of  water  was  reached  it  was  quickly  ren 
dered  unfit  for  use  by  the  dipping  in  of  hundreds  of  cups  and  can 
teens  by  the  thirsty  soldiers,  who,  caring  only  for  their  own  personal 
wants,  were  not  careful  to  leave  the  stream  clear  for  those  who  came 
later  on.  The  official  order  for  this  march  issued  by  General  Tower 
directed  the  brigade  to  move  in  the  following  order :  first,  94th  New 
York;  second,  88th  Pennsylvania;  third,  9oth  Pennsylvania;  fourth, 
26th  New  York.  On  the  second  day's  march  the  formation  was  by 
regiments, — thus,  88th,  goth,  26th,  and  94th, — ambulances  and  trains 
bringing  up  the  rear. 

Things  now  began  to  look  interesting,  and  most  of  the  boys  were 
inclined  to  think  that  after  all  we  should  see  some  very  active  service, 
and  they  were  not  very  hard  to  persuade,  either.  Some  of  the  officers 
had  been  absent  from  their  commands,  but  when  the  signs  betokened 
battle  they  quickly  came  back,  to  be  with  the  boys  if  there  was  to  be 
any  fighting.  Adjutant  Foust  returned  on  the  4th,  Captain  Wagner 
and  Lieutenant  Wingate  on  the  6th,  and  Colonel  McLean  on  the 
7th, — all  just  in  time  for  the  regiment's  initial  battle. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PEA'NA.   VOLS.  41 


CHAPTER    VII. 

CEDAR    MOUNTAIN  :    AUGUST    7    TO    15,   1862. 

THE  regiment  remained  near  Culpeper  on  the  yth,  but  the  cavalry 
reporting  the  enemy  crossing  the  Rapidan,  fifteen  miles  below, 
Ricketts's  division,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  8th,  was  marched 
through  the  town  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  about  two  miles  out. 

On  Saturday  morning,  August  9,  the  Confederates  pressed  the 
cavalry  back,  and  Banks's  corps  having  just  arrived,  was  ordered 
down  to  meet  them.  Banks  had  a  splendid  body  of  men,  and  as 
they  marched  by  with  stirring  music  and  fluttering  colors,  many 
expressions  of  admiration  were  passed  upon  their  soldierly  bearing 
and  appearance  as  hardy,  robust  men.  Many  old  friends  were 
recognized  in  the  ranks  of  the  28th,  29th,  46th,  io9th,  and  mth 
Pennsylvania  Regiments,  and  Collis's  Zouaves,  and  many  a  hand 
was  shaken  and  good-by  spoken  for  the  last  time. 

These  troops  struck  the  van  of  the  enemy  in  the  afternoon,  and 
made  it  hot  and  lively  for  Stonewall  until  he  got  his  troops  well  in 
hand  ;  then  he  turned  the  tables  on  Banks,  forcing  his  exhausted 
regiments  back  by  overwhelming  numbers:  it  was  an  unequal  con 
test,  the  proportion  being  about  seven  or  eight  Union  soldiers  to 
twenty  or  twenty-five  Johnnies.  From  our  position  the  sound  of 
the  battle  was  distinctly  heard,  and  the  balls  of  white  smoke  from 
the  bursting  shells  could  be  seen  over  the  trees.  The  Confederates 
had  a  very  heavy  gun  planted  on  the  mountain-side,  and  every  few 
minutes  the  loud  report  of  this  piece  came  rumbling- through  the 
woods  above  the  roar  of  all  the  other  cannon  engaged. 

Late  in  the  day,  Ricketts's  division  was  ordered  to  the  rescue, 
and,  hurrying  down  the  road  through  the  wounded  and  stragglers, 
soon  came  to  the  edge  of  the  battle-field.  The  remnant  of  Banks's 
corps,  after  being  terribly  cut  up,  was  stubbornly  contesting  the 
enemy's  advance,  but  in  imminent  danger  of  being  completely 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE 

swept  away  by  the  Confederates,  who  were  pushing  their  compact 
lines  of  fresh  brigades  in  our  direction.  Tower's  brigade  formed 
quickly  in  line,  supporting  Hall's  and  Thompson's  batteries,  Colo 
nel  Christian's  26th  New  York  and  the  88th  on  the  right,  the  Qoth 
Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Lyle,  and  Colonel  Root's  94th  New  York 
being  on  the  left.  The  pop  and  bang  of  the  rifles  sounded  nearer 
and  nearer,  while  the  shot  and  shell  from  the  rebel  cannon 
dropped  uncomfortably  close,  as  they  cautiously  felt  their  way 
onward ;  but  the  men  stood  quietly  in  line,  waiting  for  them 
to  uncover  in  our  front,  the  batteries  being  on  a  slight  eminence 
in  the  rear,  with  the  cannoneers  standing  by  their  guns  ready  for 
action. 

The  deepening  shades  of  night  were  fast  covering  the  sombre 
scene  with  a  pall  of  gloom  and  smoke,  the  woods  mingling  their 
lengthening  shadows  in  the  gathering  darkness,  as  every  man  waited 
and  watched  the  mountain  anxiously,  not  knowing  just  where  the 
enemy  was;  but  the  occasional  "zip"  and  the  dull  droning  of  a 
spent  ball  indicated  that  his  skirmishers  were  close  at  hand  and 
hunting  for  business. 

We  had  not  very  long  to  wait.  Suddenly  in  front,  lightening  up 
the  gloom  of  the  woods,  came  a  score  of  bright  flashes  resembling 
fire-flies,  followed  quickly  by  the  crack  of  the  rifles  and  the  sharp 
"  zip,  zip"  of  the  balls  as  they  sung  merrily  overhead.  Every  man 
took  a  firmer  hold  of  his  musket,  while  Colonel  McLean,  going 
along  the  line,  gave  the  command,  "Steady,  men;  steady,  now." 
Scarcely  had  these  words  of  caution  been  passed  along  when  the 
woods  in  front  flashed  with  the  fire  of  a  Confederate  battery,  and 
the  shot  came  hissing  and  screaming  overhead,  leaving  a  trail  of 
fire  through  the  darkness.  Our  batteries  at  once  accepted  the  chal 
lenge  and  opened  a  quick  reply,  and  for  a  half- hour  the  duel  was 
kept  up,  until  the  enemy  ceased  firing,  when  our  guns  also  slackened 
their  fire  and  finally  stopped  barking  altogether.  ^\\\^  rencontre  was 
caused  by  the  desire  of  General  Jackson  to  push  on  to  Culpeper  that 
night,  and  it  was  Pegram's  battery,  supported  by  Field's  brigade, 
that  was  advancing  to  see  if  the  coast  was  clear.  The  Confederate 
General  Hill  reported  that  Pegram's  loss  in  men  and  horses  was  so 
severe  that  he  was  soon  silenced.  He  had  two  guns  dismounted, 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA,    VOLS.  43 

and  was  glad  to  back  out  and  let  the  Yankee  gunners  alone,  having 
got  all  the  fight  he  wanted  for  one  night. 

Tower  occupied  this  line  until  near  day-dawn,  when  a  position 
was  taken  a  little  in  the  rear  and  preparations  were  made  to  meet  the 
anticipated  attack ;  but  it  did  not  come,  and  when  the  skirmishers 
advanced  to  feel  for  our  Southern  friends,  it  was  discovered  that 
they  had  fallen  back  too,  being  in  line  on  Cedar  Mountain,  which 
position  they  evacuated  on  the  nth,  retreating  across  the  Rapidan. 
The  loss  in  the  regiment  was  only  one  man,  George  Teed,  who  was 
wounded  by  a  fragment  of  shell. 

On  the  nth  the  brigade  advanced  over  the  battle-field,  and  the 
havoc  wrought  by  the  Union  batteries  in  this  night  duel  could  be 
seen.  Lying  all  around  were  dead  men,  mangled  artillery  horses, 
broken  gun-carriages,  and  accoutrements  of  war,  evidently  mostly 
belonging  to  Pegram's  battery,  which  must  have  had  a  hot  time 
trying  to  hold  its  position.  Everywhere  were  new-made  graves; 
all  over  the  battle-field,  by  the  roadside,  in  fence  corners,  and 
under  the  trees, — every  place  was  dotted  with  the  fresh  earth 
turned  over  some  soldier  who  had  fought  his  last  battle  and  whose 
life-blood  had  reddened  the  ground  as  he  struggled  in  his  agony  to 
drag  his  mangled  form  to  some  place  for  shelter  and  relief.  Within 
the  Southern  lines  the  graves  were  also  numerous,  no  place  being 
without  a  full  complement.  Where  the  regiments  stood  the  men 
fell  in  rows  and  heaps  and  were  buried  mostly  where  they  fought 
and  fell.  In  looking  at  these  festering  and  bloated  bodies,  a  sol 
dier  could  truly  realize  what  little  value  was  placed  upon  that  most 
precious  gift,  human  life. 

So  ended  this  premature  and  somewhat  remarkable  contest,  in 
which  General  Banks  with  about  8000  men  attempted  to  drive  Jack 
son's  entire  corps,  composed  of  eleven  brigades,  upward  of  20,000  of 
probably  the  best  soldiers  in  the  Southern  army,  who,  having  assisted 
in  the  repulse  of  General  McClellan's  army  before  Richmond,  were 
confident  of  achieving  an  easy  victory  over  General  Pope's  scattered 
divisions. 

The  Union  loss  was  2400,  that  of  the  Confederates  1500.  On 
the  following  day,  General  Pope,  having  concentrated  his  army,  had 
within  supporting  distance  Ricketts's  division,  8000  strong;  Sigel's 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE 

corps,  n,ooo;  and  King's  division,  nearly  9000  well-disciplined 
troops,  in  addition  to  Banks's  used-up  corps,  and  if  an  advance  had 
been  promptly  made,  Jackson  would  undoubtedly  have  been  placed 
in  an  embarrassing  position.  If  he  had  remained  to  accept  battle, 
the  result  would  scarcely  have  been  doubtful.  But  no  aggressive  move 
ment  was  made,  and  after  the  enemy  had  retreated  across  the  Rapidan 
the  Federal  army  occupied  the  mountain,  Tower's  brigade  marching 
down  to  the  river  on  the  i5th,  going  into  camp  within  cannon-shot 
of  the  insurgent  position.  On  the  i4th,  Assistant  Surgeon  Joseph 
H.  Hayes  reported  for  duty  to  the  regiment. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  45 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM  THE  RAPIDAN  TO  BULL  RUN:  AUGUST  l6  TO  29,  1862. 

THE  stay  of  the  regiment  on  the  Rapidan  was  of  few  days  and 
full  of  trouble,  but  camp  discipline  was  rigidly  maintained.  On  the 
i6th,  Colonel  McLean  treated  the  command  to  battalion  drill  among 
the  briers,  in  plain  view  and  within  cannon-shot  of  our  friends  the 
enemy.  It  is  not  known  what  they  thought  about  the  drill,  but  the 
boys  in  the  regiment  had  a  decided  repugnance  to  marching  through 
blackberry  bushes,  and  expressed  their  opinions  in  some  pungent  re 
marks  that  would  have  been  entirely  out  of  place  in  a  Sunday-school. 
Camp  was  changed  on  the  iyth  to  near  Mitchell's  Station,  and  on 
the  night  of  the  i8th  the  army  was  ordered  to  fall  back  to  the  line 
of  the  Rappahannock. 

The  situation  was  briefly  this :  General  Pope  held  the  line  of  the 
Rapidan,  with  Sigel's  corps  on  the  right,  McDowell's  in  the  centre, 
Reno's  division  on  the  left,  and  Banks's  at  Culpeper, — in  all,  barely 
40,000  troops  of  all  arms.  Across  the  little  stream  called  the  Rapi 
dan  River  the  Southern  army  was  being  rapidly  concentrated  to 
crush  Pope  before  he  could  be  re-enforced  to  any  considerable  extent 
from  McClellan's  army,  which  had  been  ordered  by  Halleck  to  come 
to  Pope's  assistance,  thereby  transferring  the  war  from  the  vicinity 
of  Richmond  to  this  point.  Cedar  Mountain  is  about  equidistant 
between  Richmond  and  Washington.  The  railroad  from  the  Rapidan 
to  Culpeper  runs  almost  due  north,  but,  with  the  other  main  roads, 
turns  sharply  to  the  right  after  leaving  the  town.  Owing  to  the 
trend  of  these  roads,  the  Southern  forces  at  the  lower  fords  of  the 
Rapidan  were  actually  nearer  to  the  Rappahannock  railroad  bridge 
than  was  the  main  body  of  the  Union  army.  Lee's  plan  was  to 
cross  the  lower  Rapidan  on  the  i8th  of  August,  destroy  the  railroad 
bridge  at  Rappahannock  Station  by  means  of  Stuart's  cavalry,  then 
break  Pope's  left  wing,  and  so  take  the  Union  army  in  reverse  and 


46  HISTORY  OF   THE 

crush  it.  With  his  great  numerical  superiority  at  that  time  this  move 
ment  might  have  succeeded  ;  but  General  Pope  was  quick  to  see  his 
danger,  and  before  Lee  could  consummate  this  movement,  the  Union 
army  had  fallen  back  behind  the  Rappahannock. 

On  the  night  of  the  i8th,  after  the  army  had  quietly  marched 
away,  Tower's  brigade  struck  tents  and,  after  replenishing  the 
numerous  camp  fires,  silently  followed  the  rest  of  the  army  towards 
Culpeper,  thus  forestalling  Lee's  movement,  which  in  all  probability, 
had  the  proposed  march  been  made  in  time,  would  have  been  dis 
astrous  to  Pope's  army. 

Before  moving,  orders  were  received  to  detail  a  force  under  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant  Hudson,  of  Company  C,  to  assist  in  destroying 
the  railroad  bridge  over  Cedar  Run.  When  the  detail  reached  the 
bridge  the  pioneers  had  cut  the  stringers  almost  through,  and  as 
Hudson  was  about  stepping  on  the  bridge  it  fell  with  a  crash,  a  piece 
of  broken  timber  striking  him  in  the  body,  rendering  him  uncon 
scious  and  inflicting  injuries  from  which  he  died  the  following  day. 
He  was  a  very  popular  officer,  being  highly  esteemed  by  every  man 
in  the  regiment,  and  was  the  first  commissioned  officer  in  the  88th 
to  give  his  life  for  his  country. 

The  brigade,  bringing  up  the  rear  of  the  army,  made  only  a  couple 
of  miles  the  entire  night.  The  head  of  column  would  scarcely  get 
started  before  meeting  some  obstruction  which  would  cause  a  long 
delay,  and  so  the  weary  night  passed  and  at  day-dawn  the  brigade 
had  hardly  reached  Cedar  Mountain  battle-field. 

At  daylight  the  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  the 
battle-field,  expecting  the  enemy  to  cross  the  Rapidan  immediately 
upon  learning  of  the  retrograde  movement ;  but  after  waiting  a 
couple  of  horns  and  the  Johnnies  not  appearing,  the  line  of  march 
was  resumed,  and,  passing  through  Culpeper,  the  brigade  pulled 
out  for  the  Rappahannock.  Night  came  before  the  river  was  reached, 
but  the  regiment  with  the  brigade  pushed  on  with  scarcely  a  halt 
over  the  roughest  and  rockiest  kind  of  a  road  until  late  at  night, 
when,  tired,  sleepy,  and  hungry,  we  crossed  the  river,  and  soon  the 
entire  force  except  tht*  guards  was  sound  asleep  on  the  hard  ground. 
This  was  an  exceedingly  severe  march,  and  the  surviving  members 
of  the  regiment  who  were  there  will  readily  recall  it  to  mind.  By 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  47 

the  route  chosen  the  regiment  had  tramped  over  twenty-five  miles 
since  morning. 

On  the  2oth,  Lieutenant  Hudson  was  buried  near  the  river,  and 
the  regiment  was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the  north  bank,  a 
detail  being  sent  across  to  the  south  bank  to  dig  intrenchments. 
Colonel  Coulter  was  across  the  river  with  his  regiment,  being  sta 
tioned  on  the  red  hills  near  the  bridge,  and,  throwing  his  command 
out  as  skirmishers,  kept  the  enemy  in  check,  his  line  being  in  sight 
near  the  woods. 

The  2oth  of  August  passed  without  a  fight,  but  about  ten  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  2ist  the  enemy  suddenly  opened  a  rapid  and 
accurate  fire,  directed  upon  the  red  hills,  from  several  batteries  of 
artillery,  the  position  occupied  by  Coulter's  regiment  and  a  detail 
of  pioneers  being  completely  raked  by  the  enemy's  shell,  which, 
bursting,  scattered  their  whizzing  fragments  in  every  direction.  A 
portion  of  Hartsuff's  brigade,  with  Thompson's  and  Matthew's  Penn 
sylvania  batteries,  passed  over  the  river  on  a  rough  bridge  which  had 
been  laid  by  the  pioneers,  and  the  guns  opening  a  rapid  fire  upon 
the  Confederates,  soon  silenced  them  and  drove  them  away. 

The  22d  was  passed  in  lively  skirmishing  and  cannonading,  but 
with  no  decisive  result,  except  that  a  few  men  were  wounded  by  the 
enemy's  fire  and  many  more  badly  scared.  One  straggler,  while 
coming  from  the  rear,  observed  an  unfriendly  solid  shot  making  a 
bee-line  for  his  head,  the  ball  striking  the  ground  and  ricocheting 
as  it  came  along ;  but  a  lively  juke  saved  the  threatened  head 
and  the  cannon-ball  spent  itself  harmlessly  in  the  rear. 

It  was  General  Pope's  intention  to  throw  quickly  a  large  force 
over  the  river  and  make  a  determined  attack  on  Lee's  army  while 
it  was  strung  out  along  the  river  from  Kelly's  Ford  to  Waterloo, 
but  a  very  heavy  rain  spoiled  the  plan  and  made  it  necessary 
to  recall  the  detachment  on  the  south  bank  before  the  bridges  should 
be  swept  away  by  the  rapidly  rising  waters,  already  assuming  the 
force  of  a  flood.  Accordingly,  on  the  23d  the  detachment  was  with 
drawn,  when  the  enemy  at  once  pushed  forward  his  artillery  and 
infantry  to  occupy  the  vacated  position.  A  hot  fight  immediately 
ensued,  principally  between  the  artillery,  the  Union  guns  on  the 
north  bank  consisting  of  Hall's,  Leppien's,  Matthew's  and  Thomp- 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE 

son's  batteries,  while  the  Confederates  were  represented  by  the  first 
and  third  companies  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  the  Macbeth  and 
Dixie  Artillery,  and  Stribling's  battery,  supported  by  Anderson's, 
Evans's,  and  other  brigades  of  infantry.  The  Union  loss  was  not 
severe,  though  several  men  in  the  88th  were  wounded  by  fragments 
of  shells;  but  it  is  interesting  to  know  that  our  opponents  had  any 
thing  but  a  nice  time  in  trying  to  cross  the  river.  Captain  Boyce, 
commanding  the  Macbeth  Artillery,  galloped  his  battery  up  the  hill, 
and  reports  that  in  less  than  two  minutes  he  was  compelled  to  retire 
without  being  able  to  fire  a  shot,  and  in  that  short  time  lost  seven 
men  and  seven  horses.  The  first  battery  Washington  Artillery  was 
driven  off  with  a  loss  of  fourteen  men  and  twenty-one  horses. 
Evans's  brigade  lost  in  men,  the  other  brigades  and  batteries  also 
suffering  greatly.  The  total  loss  of  the  enemy  in  this  spirited  affair 
was  between  200  and  300  men.  At  the  termination  of  the  contest, 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  23d  of  August,  the  Union  army  held  its 
position,  the  enemy  having  been  foiled  in  every  attempt  to  force  a 
passage  of  the  river. 

During  the  day  a  body  of  Confederate  horsemen  attempted  to  ford 
the  river,  but  were  quickly  repulsed,  a  well-directed  shot  emptying 
the  saddle  of  the  leading  horse.  The  animal,  subsequently  coming 
across  the  river,  was  captured  by  Corporal  Albert  Williams,  of  Com 
pany  D,  and  confiscated  by  Lieutenant  Fairlamb,  then  acting  adju 
tant  of  the  regiment.  The  enemy  finally  gave  up  the  attempt  to 
drive  our  forces  away,  and  began  a  movement  up  the  river,  which 
necessitated  a  corresponding  move  on  the  part  of  General  Pope's 
army. 

This  affair  at  the  bridge  will  not  be  called  much  of  a  fight,  but  it 
nevertheless  was  a  gallant  attack  and  an  obstinate  and  successful 
defence.  The  five  Confederate  batteries  engaged  threw  away  1182 
rounds  of  ammunition,  the  amount  fired  by  the  Union  cannon 
(to  more  purpose)  being  probably  much  greater.  The  men  of 
the  88th  exhibited  commendable  coolness  and  discipline  under 
the  heavy  fire  to  which  they  were  subjected.  While  lying  in  the 
woods  many  shells  burst  overhead,  scattering  with  their  singing 
fragments  the  limbs  of  the  trees  and  wounding  several  of  the  men ; 
but  the  boys  lay  low  until  Colonel  McLean  took  them  along  the 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  49 

road,  where  the  shells  made  less  noise  and  probably  did  less 
damage. 

During  this  fierce  artillery  duel  a  detail  of  volunteers  from  the 
88th  was  sent  to  assist  in  working  Hall's  battery,  the  men  remaining 
with  the  guns  several  days.  In  the  afternoon  the  Pennsylvania  Re 
serves,  just  from  the  Peninsula,  marched  by  in  a  drenching  storm, 
the  rain  descending  in  bucketfuls,  making  the  situation  anything  but 
a  picnic.  At  dark  a  detail  was  sent  to  fire  the  railroad  bridge,  and 
Tower's  brigade,  bringing  up  the  rear,  commenced  a  weary  night 
march  in  the  mud  to  some  point  up  the  river.  Whenever  a  perilous 
point  was  to  be  guarded,  Tower's  brigade  was  chosen  for  the  job, 
because  the  commander  and  command  stood  so  high  in  the  estima 
tion  of  the  general.  Probably  if  the  boys  had  understood  it  better 
at  the  time  the  honor  might  have  been  appreciated  more  than  it 
really  was.  It  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  men  marching  in 
the  column  that  the  mud  on  these  roads  took  first  premium  for  sticki 
ness  and  tenacity.  Many  of  the  soldiers  were  completely  mired, 
having  to  be  extricated  from  the  mud  that  clung  to  their  feet  like 
glue,  and  not  a  few  had  their  shoes  torn  off,  losing  them  in  the 
darkness.  About  two  o'clock  the  column  halted,  the  exhausted  men 
sleeping  soundly  in  the  mud  until  daylight. 

On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  May  24,  the  march  was  resumed,  but 
we  had  not  gone  far  before  the  sound  of  battle  was  heard  in  the 
direction  of  Sulphur  Springs,  when  the  column  about-faced  and  pro 
ceeded  in  that  direction ;  but,  assistance  not  being  needed,  turned 
again,  and  at  nightfall  halted  on  the  Culpeper  road,  midway  between 
Warrenton  and  the  Rappahannock. 

The  25th  was  passed  in  marching  forward  and  backward  over  the 
hills,  through  the  briers  and  stones,  much  to  the  discomfort  of  those 
of  the  men  who  had  no  shoes  to  protect  their  feet  from  the  thorns 
and  sharp  boulders  lying  in  the  fields. 

The  26th  of  August  was  an  exceedingly  hot  day,  but  there  was  no 
rest  for  the  weary,  hungry,  and  bewildered  troops  engaged  in  watch 
ing  the  mysterious  movements  of  the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  across 
the  river.  At  daybreak  the  bivouac  was  abandoned,  the  head  of 
column  being  directed  to  the  left ;  but  it  had  not  gone  far  when  the 
heavy  booming  of  artillery  in  the  direction  of  Sulphur  Springs 

4 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE 

caused  the  division  to  turn  in  that  direction.  It  appeared,  however, 
that  King's  division  was  able  to  hold  its  own,  so  the  column  halted 
in  the  grateful  shade  of  a  thick  woods,  but  presently  turned  again 
towards  Warrenton,  marching  slowly  and  wearily  on  until  dusk, 
when  a  halt  was  ordered  and  the  tired  and  supperless  men  threw 
themselves  on  the  ground  and  rested  until  morning.  These  con 
flicting  and  tiresome  movements  were  as  mysterious  as  provoking  to 
the  men,  and  they  could  not  understand  why  they  were  made. 

The  key  to  the  situation  is  found  in  the  following  explanation : 

General  Jackson  cut  loose  from  Lee  on  the  morning  of  the  25th 
to  get  between  Pope  and  Washington.  He  reached  Salem  at  night, 
passed  through  Thoroughfare  Gap  on  the  26th,  and  arrived  at 
Bristoe  Station  the  same  afternoon,  appropriating  everything  he  could 
lay  his  hands  on  and  burning  what  he  could  not  carry.  He  was 
consequently  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  army  and  broke  its  commu 
nications  with  Washington.  He  left  Manassas  Junction  on  the  night 
of  the  27th,  concentrating  near  Sudley  Springs,  where  he  will  be 
found  later  on,  ready  to  tackle  any  Union  force  that  should  come 
within  his  reach. 

The  2yth  of  August  was  very  hot  and  sultry,  and  the  brigade  lay 
in  the  fields  several  hours,  the  Union  generals  apparently  at  a  loss 
what  to  do  or  where  to  go ;  but  in  the  afternoon  the  column  made 
a  hurried  march  through  Warrenton,  and,  keeping  the  road  until 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  halted  near  New  Baltimore.  At  the 
first  streak  of  daylight  on  Thursday,  the  28th,  the  march  was  re 
sumed,  but  it  was  difficult  to  keep  all  the  soldiers  in  the  ranks,  some 
of  them  being  sick,  large  numbers  utterly  exhausted,  and  all  tired 
and  half  starved ;  consequently  the  roads  were  lined  with  stragglers, 
most  of  them  very  unwillingly  so,  but  they  were  unable  to  keep 
their  places  in  line,  being  weakened  from  want  of  food,  the  com 
missary  department  wagons  having  been  lost  and  no  rations  issued 
since  the  previous  Saturday. 

When  Haymarket  was  reached  the  knapsacks  were  piled  in  a  heap 
and  the  division  hurried  out  to  Thoroughfare  Gap  to  prevent  Long- 
street  coming  through  to  the  help  of  Jackson,  who  with  more  than 
a  dozen  brigades  was  reported  to  be  roaming  somewhere  over  the 
country  east  of  the  mountains,  with  several  divisions  of  Union 


CoRPOKAI.    I,E\YIS    W.     I.ONNIN. 


LIEUTENANT    GEORGE    W.    (iKANT. 


JOSEPH  CHAMI-ION  CLEMENT. 


HENUY  RI-AD 


COMPANY    15. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  51 

troops  in  hot  pursuit.  The  column  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  Gap 
in  the  afternoon,  meeting  the  cavalrymen  retiring  before  the  enemy, 
whom  they  reported  in  possession  of  the  defile.  Skirmishers  were 
thrown  out  and  the  enemy  forced  back  into  the  gorge,  when  the 
artillery  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  Gap  and  surrounding  heights. 

The  brunt  of  the  fighting  was  borne  by  Colonel  Coulter's  regi 
ment,  which  lost  eighteen  men  killed  and  thirty-seven  wounded. 
While  Ricketts's  division  was  forming  and  fighting  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  mountain,  General  Lee  was  carefully  scanning  the  position 
from  the  west,  with  Longstreet's  corps  rapidly  arriving.  Lee  finally 
ordered  a  direct  assault,  also  flanking  columns  to  cross  the  heights 
to  the  right  and  left.  However,  Ricketts  held  the  enemy  in  check 
until  dark,  then  fell  back  to  Haymarket,  and,  recovering  knapsacks, 
the  command  marched  to  Gainesville  before  halting  for  the  night, 
while  the  gray  veterans  of  Longstreet,  passing  through  the  Gap, 
unknowingly  bivouacked  within  cannon-shot  of  the  Union  division 
at  Gainesville. 

This  Gap  movement  was  a  very  important  one,  and  many  mili 
tary  writers  claim  that  Ricketts  should  not  have  allowed  Longstreet 
to  pass  through  to  the  help  of  Jackson.  Undoubtedly  this  would 
have  been  a  commendable  act,  but  Ricketts  would  surely  have  been 
overwhelmed  on  the  morning  of  the  2Qth  by  the  twelve  or  thirteen 
brigades  of  infantry  which  were  with  Longstreet.  As  it  was, 
Ricketts  took  the  safest  course  when  at  dark  he  drew  back  to 
Gainesville,  resting  there  until  daylight,  while  the  Confederates 
marched  through  the  Gap,  Jones's  division  on  the  advance,  and 
bivouacked  a  short  distance  beyond.  The  Union  division  rested 
near  Gainesville  until  daybreak  ;  then,  supposing  the  enemy  to  be  at 
Manassas  Junction,  marched  to  Greenwich  in  search  of  the  main  body 
of  General  Pope's  army ;  but  this  movement  was  a  mistaken  one, 
for  at  that  hour  the  bulk  of  the  army  was  near  the  stone  bridge  over 
Bull  Run,  which  point  could  easily  have  been  reached  by  the  War- 
renton  pike  if  the  opposing  commanders  had  offered  no  objection. 
However,  the  troops  were  ignorant  of  the  situation  at  this  time,  and 
struck  for  the  railroad  near  Bristoe,  but  finding  no  enemy,  came  to 
the  Junction  and  halted  to  look  around  and  get  breath. 

The  division  was  in   hard  lines,  officers  and  men  being  almost 


52  HISTORY  OF   THE 

famished,  the  soldiers  eagerly  searching  among  the  abandoned  camps 
for  pieces  of  crackers,  bones,  cob-corn,  or  anything  that  would  satisfy 
their  hunger;  but  there  wasn't  a  square  meal  in  sight,  and  the  boys 
had  to  rest  content  with  growls  and  curses  loud  and  deep  against  the 
quartermaster  and  his  missing  rations. 

In  the  afternoon  the  sound  of  cannon  was  heard  towards  Bull 
Run  battle-field,  and  to  that  point  the  head  of  column  was 
directed,  passing  Porter's  corps,  which  was  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy  in  the  woods.  The  rebs  had  come  in  a  direct  line  from 
Gainesville,  and  had  got  here  considerably  before  Ricketts's  men 
put  in  an  appearance.  The  vicinity  of  the  stone  house  was  reached 
in  the  evening,  the  command  resting  here  till  morning.  Colonel 
Joe  was  now  in  command,  Colonel  McLean  having  been  compelled 
to  leave  the  regiment  on  the  251)1,  suffering  from  severe  illness, 
which  incapacitated  him  from  taking  command  for  some  time. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  53 


CHAPTER     IX. 
BULL    RUN,  AUGUST    30,    1862. 

SATURDAY,  August  30,  was  an  extremely  warm  day;  hot  in  other 
respects  than  by  reason  of  the  scorching  sun  to  the  weary  soldiers 
who  wore  the  blue.  At  the  morning  roll-call  of  the  regiment 
scarcely  400  men  answered  to  their  names.  Many  had  fallen 
out  of  line,  some  sick,  others  utterly  played  out,  and  of  those 
that  remained  with  the  colors,  all  were  so  hungry,  dirty,  and  ex 
hausted  that  they  were  in  no  condition  to  fight  a  great  battle.  No 
opportunity  to  wash  body  or  clothing  had  been  given  for  several 
weeks,  and  when  a  soldier  cannot  keep  clean,  he  in  a  large  degree 
loses  his  self-respect  and  confidence.  In  line  of  battle  by  day  and 
marching  all  night,  minus  rations,  suffering  intensely  with  thirst  and 
from  complaints  induced  by  drinking  filthy  water,  the  men  were  in 
a  pitiable  condition.  Many  were  shoeless  and  with  their  clothing 
in  tatters,  yet  they  clung  to  the  regiment  with  a  devotion  and  perse 
verance  worthy  of  all  praise;  for  soldiers  who,  under  such  adverse 
circumstances,  keep  their  organization  and,  in  spite  of  so  many  dis 
piriting  events,  still  present  a  bold  front  to  the  enemy,  cannot  be 
too  strongly  commended. 

In  the  morning  the  division  was  massed  on  the  Dogan  farm,  near 
the  stone  house  on  the  Sudley  Springs  road,  but  towards  noon  it  was 
sent  to  the  right,  near  Kearney's  famous  division.  Its  one-armed 
commander  was  carelessly  leaning  on  a  brass  cannon,  and  as  the 
regiment  halted  quite  near  him,  the  men  had  an  excellent  oppor 
tunity  to  see  this  renowned  soldier.  Away  off,  a  mile  or  more  to 
the  front  and  right,  a  small  farm-house  was  located,  around  which 
the  enemy's  skirmishers  were  in  view,  and  the  Union  cannon  were 
throwing  an  occasional  shot  in  that  direction.  Presently  the  brigade 
returned  to  its  position  near  the  stone  house,  and,  stacking  arms,  lay 
there  until  the  afternoon,  when  news  came  that  Lee  with  all  his  army 


54  HISTORY  OF  THE 

was  on  the  skedaddle,  scooting  straight  to  the  mountains  in  his 
intense  desire  to  escape  from  General  Pope.  A  despatch  to  that 
effect  was  sent  to  Washington,  and,  being  transmitted  to  the  North, 
caused  a  thrill  of  joy  in  every  loyal  heart  which  was  rudely  dispelled 
a  few  hours  later.  A  strong  column,  to  be  led  by  General  McDowell, 
was  at  once  formed  to  pursue  the  retreating  foe,  our  regiment  being 
assigned  to  the  pursuing  division,  and,  piling  knapsacks,  every  prep 
aration  was  speedily  made  by  the  exultant  troops  for  a  vigorous 
and  successful  chase  after  Lee's  army. 

The  stock  of  confidence  which  most  of  the  soldiers  had  in  the 
means  and  ability  of  General  Pope  to  successfully  cope  with  Lee 
had  been  steadily  diminishing  during  the  past  few  days,  until  it  was 
away  below  zero ;  but  it  now  took  a  turn  in  the  other  direction, 
and  must  have  attained  a  higher  point  than  the  thermometer  regis 
tered,  that  being  over  a  hundred  in  the  shade.  Many  expressions 
of  satisfaction  were  heard  through  the  ranks,  and  the  old  saying  of 
"having  them  just  where  we  wanted  them"  was  the  favorite  one 
used,  for  all  trusted  that  our  commanding  general  had  at  last  out- 
generalled  Lee  and  would  give  him  a  sound  thrashing  before  he  got 
through  with  him. 

The  head  of  column  soon  pulled  out,  and  at  a  quickstep  pro 
ceeded  westward  on  the  Sudley  road  ;  but  the  leading  brigades  had 
scarcely  gone  over  the  hill  before  it  was  discovered  that  there  was 
something  wrong  on  the  left  of  the  Union  army,  and  the  way  the 
column  was  about-faced  and  hurried  over  the  Warrenton  pike  created 
a  suspicion  that  mayhap  the  situation  was  after  all  not  so  bright  as 
it  had  been  represented. 

The  real  state  of  affairs  was  that,  instead  of  retreating  to  the  moun 
tains,  Lee  was  quietly  massing  an  immense  force — fifteen  brigades  of 
infantry,  two  of  cavalry,  with  numerous  batteries — to  strike  a  crush 
ing  blow  on  the  Union  left,  protected  by  two  small  brigades,  all 
unconscious  of  the  tempest  that  was  about  to  burst  on  them  from  the 
woods  in  their  front.  When  this  formidable  column  uncovered  and 
advanced  to  the  attack,  the  true  situation  of  the  contending  forces 
dawned  upon  the  minds  of  McDowell  and  Pope,  and  they  were  quick 
to  realize  their  perilous  position.  Laying  hands  on  all  available 
troops,  they  hurried  them  to  the  threatened  point,  lest  the  John- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  55 

nies  should  reach  the  Warrenton  pike  and  cause  irreparable  injury 
to  the  Union  army.  The  88th,  with  the  other  regiments  com 
posing  Tower's  brigade,  left  the  Sudley  road  a  short  distance  east  of 
the  pike  and  double-quicked  down  a  slope,  over  a  little  stream  of 
water,  and  up  the  hill  on  the  farther  side,  where,  being  under  a  heavy 
artillery  fire,  the  men  began  to  drop  out  wounded  by  the  pieces  of 
shells  as  they  burst  around  the  column.  Under  a  tree  near  the  run, 
Captain  Fessenden,  of  General  Tower's  staff,  lay  mortally  wounded  ; 
he  had  been  shot  while  in  the  performance  of  his  duty  as  aide. 

Upon  ascending  the  opposite  hill  the  brigade  came  in  view  of  the 
Confederate  cannoneers  and  received  a  withering  fire  from  several 
batteries  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  planted  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Chinn  house,  and  presently  from  the  Macbeth  and  other  batteries 
posted  on  the  farm  near  by.  The  regiment  was  rushed  up  the  hill 
on  the  double-quick,  left  in  front,  which  brought  Company  K  in 
advance,  and  upon  reaching  the  top  the  companies  deployed  as  best 
they  could,  facing  the  enemy's  line  near  the  house,  some  two  or  three 
hundred  yards  distant,  around  which  were  the  Confederate  cannon, 
as  before  mentioned. 

The  confusion  among  the  troops  on  the  hill  was  great ;  officers 
and  men  shouting,  shells  tearing  through  and  exploding,  the  incessant 
rattle  of  the  muskets,  the  cries  of  the  wounded, — all  combined  made 
up  a  scene  that  was  anything  but  encouraging,  yet  every  one  appeared 
anxious  to  get  in  the  proper  place  to  do  the  most  good.  Some  sem 
blance  of  a  line  was  soon  formed,  and  the  Confederate  infantry  being 
discovered  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  a  rapid  fusillade  was  at  once  opened, 
causing  them  to  retreat  in  disorder. 

About  this  time  a  section  of  artillery  hastily  galloped  up,  un- 
limbered,  and  went  into  battery  directly  in  front;  but  no  sooner 
had  the  trails  touched  the  ground  than  the  horses  ran  away  with  the 
limbers — being  wounded,  probably — and,  dashing  recklessly  through 
the  ranks,  disappeared,  leaving  the  guns  with  only  two  or  three 
rounds  of  ammunition.  Very  soon  the  Confederates  advanced  past 
the  farm-house  in  many  lines  of  battle,  extending  as  far  as  could 
be  seen;  they  came  on  in  thousands,  with  battle-flags  well  to  the 
front  and  their  officers  urging  them  on,  when  the  brigade  at  once 
opened  a  withering  fire  on  them,  checking  their  advance  somewhat. 


56  HISTORY  OF   THE 

The  Union  cannoneers  stood  pluckily  by  their  guns,  and  at  the  right 
time  ranged  their  pieces  and  discharged  them  into  the  solid  ranks 
of  the  enemy,  but  there  being  no  more  ammunition,  the  guns  were 
useless. 

All  this  time  the  cannon  of  the  enemy  were  ploughing  the  hill 
with  their  shot,  and,  being  so  close,  had  excellent  range,  the  projec 
tiles  striking  with  frightful  precision  among  the  ranks  of  blue  stand 
ing  shoulder  to  shoulder  on  the  hill.  The  infantry  fire  was  also  very 
destructive,  and  came  from  so  many  directions  that  our  men  were  at 
a  loss  how  to  return  it  effectively.  Colonel  Joe,  Major  Gile,  and  the 
other  officers  did  all  that  officers  could  do  to  keep  order  and  hold  the 
position,  but  the  yells  of  the  combatants,  the  noise  of  the  bursting 
shells,  and  the  agonizing  screams  of  the  wounded  and  dying  made 
the  place  a  perfect  bedlam,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to  get  the  com 
panies  in  order  to  successfully  resist  the  Confederate  brigades  who 
were  advancing,  firing  and  yelling  as  they  came.  The  officers  en 
couraged  their  men  to  hold  the  position  as  long  as  possible,  it  being 
generally  understood  that  time  was  required  to  form  another  line 
and  post  batteries  in  our  rear,  as  this  place  was  untenable,  and  the 
men  responded  bravely  to  their  appeals,  standing  firmly  by  their 
colors  and  giving  the  Johnnies  the  best  they  had  in  the  shop ;  but  at 
this  critical  period  a  heavy  column  appeared  emerging  from  the  woods 
directly  on  the  left  flank  of  the  brigade.  It  was  at  first  supposed 
to  be  part  of  Pope's  forces,  but  when  these  troops  opened  an  en 
filading  fire  that  cut  across  and  through  our  ranks,  their  true  char 
acter  was  revealed.  This  flanking  force  was  Jones's  Confederate 
division,  the  troops  in  our  front  being  Hood's  division,  assisted  by 
Evans's  brigade  and  Anderson's  and  Kemper's  divisions.  The  bat 
tered  battalions  on  the  hill  at  once  refused  their  left  to  meet  this 
attack,  seven  companies  of  the  94th  New  York  taking  the  extreme 
left,  and  in  executing  this  movement  the  88th  naturally  gave  ground 
a  little  in  front.  Colonel  Joe,  seeing  the  line  wavering,  rallied  the 
regiment  around  the  colors,  and  about  this  time  received  a  terrible 
wound  in  the  thigh.  Being  unable  to  control  his  horse,  it  started 
to  run  away  as  the  colonel  fell  from  the  saddle  ;  but  Lieutenant  Ran- 
nels,  of  the  75th  Ohio,  caught  the  horse,  and,  with  the  assistance 
of  some  of  the  members  of  the  88th,  carried  the  colonel  back  a  short 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS,  57 

distance,  when  he  was  again  struck  and  died  on  the  field.  His  last 
words  were,  "  I  die  for  my  country  and  the  old  flag."  Many  other 
officers  of  the  regiment  had  already  been  disabled,  among  them 
Captain  Belsterling,  of  Company  C,  killed  at  the  head  of  his  com 
mand.  Captains  Wagner  and  Stretch,  Lieutenants  Street  and  Pat 
terson,  Adjutant  Fairlamb,  with  many  other  officers  and  men,  were 
wounded.  General  Tower  was  carried  off  the  field  badly  wounded, 
subsequently  losing  a  leg  by  amputation. 

There  were  many  individual  acts  of  personal  daring  and  bravery 
exhibited  by  the  men  of  the  88th  Regiment  as  they  fought  singly 
and  by  squads,  but  where  so  many  may  justly  claim  recognition,  it 
would  be  invidious  to  select  one  or  more  for  especial  mention  ;  how 
ever,  the  many  proficient  rifle-shots  in  the  battalion  had  abundant 
opportunity  to  exercise  their  skill  in  this  direction,  and  the  mortality 
among  the  Confederate  officers  attested  their  success.  Colonel 
Means,  of  the  zyth,  and  Colonel  Gadbury,  of  the  i8th  South  Caro 
lina  Regiment,  were  killed  directly  in  our  front,  the  last-named 
officer  just  about  the  time  the  Union  line  was  breaking. 

The  Federal  troops,  notwithstanding  their  desperate  resistance, 
were  being  slowly  but  surely  forced  back.  The  men  in  the  front 
rank  would  fire,  then  fall  to  the  rear  to  force  another  cartridge  down 
their  heated  and  befouled  rifles,  but  by  the  time  they  were  loaded 
would  be  in  the  front  again,  the  rear  rank  having  performed  the 
same  movement.  The  enemy  was  returning  this  salute  with  interest, 
aided  by  superior  numbers  and  a  concentric  fire,  and  the  ground  was 
thickly  strewn  with  the  dead  and  badly  wounded,  while  the  rear  pre 
sented  a  woful  mass  of  wounded  soldiers  and  the  inevitable  strag 
glers,  who,  taking  advantage  of  the  confusion,  were  making  lively 
tracks  for  the  rear.  But  this  unequal  contest  could  not  last  long. 
The  rebels  were  advancing  in  admirable  order  in  heavy  masses, 
brigade  following  brigade,  the  front  line  firing  as  they  came,  the 
white  puffs  of  smoke  rolling  along  their  front  in  fleecy  clouds  some 
times  obscuring  their  lines;  but  they  swept  on,  up  the  hill,  by  the 
guns,  and  as  their  converging  lines  closed  in,  the  Union  troops  scat 
tered  and  retreated  to  the  Sudley  road,  leaving  Bald  Hill  in  possession 
of  the  Confederates.  While  falling  back,  re-enforcements  from  Sigel's 
corps  were  met  coming  up,  massed  in  column  of  division  and  step- 


58  HISTORY  OF   THE 

ping  as  quietly  as  if  on  parade ;  these  men  checked  the  foe  long 
enough  to  allow  the  shattered  remnants  of  Tower's  brigade  to  rally 
on  the  Henry  House  hill  north  of  the  Springs  road,  at  which  place 
the  Confederate  advance  was  stopped.  The  greater  part  of  Long- 
street's  men  bivouacked  that  night  on  the  Chinn  farm,  being  so 
terribly  shattered  that  they  were  in  no  condition  to  attempt  more. 

After  rallying  on  the  hill  and  along  the  pike,  and  repulsing  a 
charge  of  the  enemy,  the  Union  forces,  under  cover  of  the  night, 
with  sad  hearts  and  weary  feet,  marched  back  to  Centreville.  The 
army  had  been  defeated,  though  the  men  felt  that  they  had  done 
all  that  good  soldiers  could  do,  and  no  stain  of  dishonor  rested  on 
their  fair  name  for  this  day's  sad  work,  but  all  felt  mortified  and 
sick  at  heart  when  they  thought  of  their  suffering  comrades  left 
weltering  in  blood  on  the  disastrous  field  of  battle. 

The  loss  of  Colonel  Joe  and  Captain  Belsterling  and  the  wounding 
of  so  many  efficient  officers  of  the  regiment  was  the  beginning  of  a 
similar  experience  that  lasted  during  the  entire  war.  General 
Tower's  wound  resulted  in  the  loss  of  a  leg  and  incapacitated  him 
from  further  field  service  during  the  war.  He  was  a  good  officer,  a 
strict  disciplinarian,  and  would  undoubtedly  have  attained  high 
command  in  the  service,  though  not  very  popular  with  the  boys. 
But  the  degree  of  an  officer's  popularity  with  the  soldiers  was  no 
gauge  of  his  proficiency  as  a  commanding  officer ;  there  was  no 
more  unpopular  officer  in  the  army  than  General  McDowell,  but 
subsequent  light  upon  his  character  and  motives  conclusively  proves 
that  no  more  unselfish  or  patriotic  general  or  purer  gentleman  wore 
the  stars  of  a  Union  officer.  All  the  misfortunes  and  disasters, 
short  rations,  hard  marches,  and  abortive  movements  were  blamed 
on  McDowell.  He  was  constantly  accused  of  being  drunk,  yet  the 
most  positive  proof  is  adduced  that  he  had  never  taken  a  glass  of 
liquor  in  his  life.  The  peculiar  bamboo  hat  he  wore  was  supposed 
to  be  a  signal  for  the  enemy  not  to  fire  upon  him,  and  more  of  the 
same  stuff  was  firmly  engrafted  on  the  minds  of  the  men.  General 
McDowell  is  dead  and  beyond  the  range  of  praise  or  blame,  but 
these  cruel  slanders  were  borne  by  him  in  silence,  and  it  is  due  to 
his  memory  that  his  record  be  truthfully  told,  even  at  this  late  day. 

The  official  report  of  the  loss  in  Tower's  command  is  given  below. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  59 

The  figures  are  in  some  cases  not  correct,  as  the  loss  in  the  88th  in 
killed  was  twenty-eight,  instead  of  twelve,  as  given  in  the  official 
tables.  Some  of  the  mortally  wounded  may  have  been  simply 
classified  among  the  wounded,  and  many  of  those  marked  missing 
were  afterwards  known  to  have  been  killed.  The  list  of  killed  is 
corrected;  but  the  totals  are  the  same  as  in  volume  xii.,  Part  2, 
"Official  Records  of  the  War,"  as  published  by  the  United  States 
government. 

CASUALTIES    IN    TOWER* S  BRIGADE,  AUGUST  1 6  TO  SEPTEMBER  2,    1862. 

Killed.      Wounded.     Missing.      Total. 
Brigade  staff i  .    .  .    .  I 

26th  New  York 26  106  37  169 

94th  New  York 21  Si  45  147 

88th  Pennsylvania 28  85  48  161 

90th  Pennsylvania 7  49  162  218 

Total "83  3~2l  292  696 

HARTSUFF'S  BRIGADE. 

Killed.  Wounded.  Missing.  Total. 

1 2th  Massachusetts 13  61             64  138 

1 3th  Massachusetts 20  105             65  190 

9th  New  York  State  Militia      .    .    .     10  25             48  83 

1 1 th  Pennsylvania 44  "4  24^ 

Total "87  305           265  657 

The  loss  in  Tower's  brigade  was  the  greatest  of  any  brigade  in 
the  army  in  the  battle  of  the  3oth. 

There  is  an  old  saying  that  misery  loves  company,  and  it  may 
console  some  of  these  defeated  soldiers  to  know  that  their  opponents 
suffered  as  severely  as  themselves.  From  the  official  rebel  reports 
we  know  how  terribly  they  suffered,  life  being  no  consideration  with 
their  leaders  when  they  wanted  to  carry  a  position. 

Anderson's  brigade  reports  a  loss  of  over  800;  Evan's,  734;  and 
Hood's  Texans,  638.  The  lyth  South  Carolina  lost  189  out  of  284 
engaged;  the  23d  South  Carolina,  152  out  of  225;  and  the  iyth 
Georgia,  101  out  of  200  carried  into  action. 

The  88th  Regiment  never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  this  dis 
astrous  battle,  and  the  loss  sustained  by  it,  as  shown  in  the  ghastly 
list  of  killed  and  crippled  officers  and  men,  very  seriously  impaired 
its  efficiency  in  future  campaigns,  their  absence  being  very  keenly  felt. 


60  HISTORY  OF   THE 


CHAPTER    X. 

A    PILGRIMAGE    TO    BULL    RUN. 

IN  the  fall  of  1885  the  writer  visited  this  region,  made  famous  by 
the  fierce  battles  fought  here  in  1861  and  1862.  At  Alexandria  but 
little  change  in  the  appearance  of  the  city  since  war  times  was 
noticed.  The  Marshall  House  has  been  altered  into  a  dry- goods 
store  and  the  slave-pen  into  dwelling-houses,  but  most  of  the  old 
residences  are  precisely  as  they  were  during  the  war.  A  few  miles 
below  Alexandria  a  new  city  has  been  laid  out,  called  New  Alex 
andria,  which  bids  fair  to  rival  the  city  of  "  ye  ancient  tyme." 

Most  of  the  immense  chain  of  forts  that  surrounded  Alexandria 
and  Washington  have  disappeared,  but  a  few  still  stand  in  bold  out 
line  against  the  sky,  among  these  being  Fort  Ellsworth,  just  outside 
of  Alexandria,  where  Companies  B  and  F,  of  the  88th,  were  stationed 
in  1861.  This  fort  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation,  the  para 
pet  and  embrasures  for  the  cannon  being  clearly  defined  ;  but  where 
the  ranks  of  the  armed  garrison  were  once  dressed  birds  have  taken 
possession,  and  sweep  in  peaceful  troops  through  the  places  where  the 
big  black  dogs  of  war  once  thrust  their  threatening  muzzles. 

A  few  miles  from  Alexandria  I  noticed  the  ruins  of  Cloud's 
Mills,  and  off  to  the  right  the  cupola  of  Fairfax  Seminary  is  still 
standing.  Along  the  railroad  the  conductor  calls  Springfield,  Union 
Mills,  Bull  Run, — all  familiar  names,  bringing  up  a  flood  of  memo 
ries  of  the  days  when  we  wore  the  blue  and  marched  wearily  over 
these  dusty  roads  that  seemed  never  so  long  to  nowhere.  At  Bull 
Run  the  stream  was  muddy  from  a  recent  rain,  and  across  the 
bridge,  where  General  Taylor's  Jersey  brigade  was  overwhelmed 
and  repulsed  by  Jackson's  command,  the  country  had  an  old-time 
look. 

A  mile  or  so  north  of  the  Junction  are  the  embankments  of  one 
of  Beauregard's  forts,  and  a  mile  west  of  the  Junction  is  another  well- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  61 

kept  fort ;  but  all  the  rest  have  gone,  with  the  gray  regiments  that 
once  defended  them,  never  to  return. 

The  distance  from  the  Junction  to  the  stone  house  on  the  Warren- 
ton  pike  is  about  six  miles,  over  an  excellent  dirt  road,  flanked  part 
of  the  way  by  a  neat  wire  fence.  Upon  reaching  the  vicinity  of  the 
battle-field  the  topography  of  the  country  changes,  and,  in  place  of 
the  plains  near  the  Junction,  the  ground  is  broken  and  hilly,  mostly 
covered  by  a  heavy  growth  of  timber. 

Off  to  the  northwest  the  blue  outlines  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains 
are  in  view,  and,  looking  down  the  distant  range,  the  sloping  of  the 
crest  indicates  the  location  of  Thoroughfare  Gap,  where,  on  the 
afternoon  of  August  28,  1862,  Ricketts's  division  drove  the  skir 
mishers  of  Longstreet's  advance  back  through  the  gorge. 

The  Warrenton  and  Alexandria  pike  runs  through  the  centre  of 
the  battle-field,  and  Young's  Branch,  a  tributary  of  Bull  Run,  crosses 
the  road  several  times,  and  at  the  stone  house  at  the  intersection  of 
the  Sudley  road  it  branches,  one  fork  continuing  along  the  pike 
past  the  Dogan  farm,  the  other  from  the  spring  on  the  Chinn  farm, 
south  of  the  Bald  Hill  range.  Straight  down  the  pike,  through 
Warrenton,  about  twenty-five  miles  distant,  is  the  Rappahannock 
River,  and,  as  has  been  before  related,  along  the  banks  of  this 
stream,  as  a  line  of  defence,  General  Pope  successfully  held  the  Con 
federate  army  from  August  20  to  25,  in  compliance  with  the  request 
of  General  Halleck,  on  the  2ist,  to  hold  on  "  forty-eight  hours  longer 
and  we  can  make  you  strong  enough."  Pope  carried  out  his  part  of 
the  contract,  but  how  lamentably  some  one  else  failed  is  matter  of  his 
tory.  He  had  every  assurance  that  his  communications  would  be 
effectually  guarded  by  heavy  re-enforcements  from  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  via  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad ;  but  this  illusion 
was  rudely  dispelled  when,  on  the  26th  of  August,  the  ubiquitous 
Jackson  with  his  hungry  legions,  marching  through  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  upon  the  Union  stores  at  Manassas  Junc 
tion.  General  Pope  was  loath  to  believe  that  this  was  more  than  an 
irruption  by  some  of  Stuart's  redoubtable  cavalry,  and  to  say  that  he 
was  intensely  chagrined  when  he  discovered  the  true  state  of  affairs  is 
putting  it  mildly ;  but  he  at  once  ordered  all  his  troops  to  the  Junc 
tion  to  catch  Jackson  and  "bag  the  whole  crowd  !"  Jackson,  how- 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE 

ever,  was  not  the  man  to  be  caught  in  that  way,  and,  burning  what 
he  couldn't  carry,  he  marched  his  men  over  Bull  Run  to  Centreville, 
and  then  back  again  to  near  Sudley  Church,  the  soldiers  in  his  ranks 
feeling  that  they  had  done  a  big  thing  and  were  on  top,  while  the 
soldiers  in  Pope's  army  felt  conscious  that  somebody  had  blundered, 
and  were  fast  losing  what  little  confidence  they  had  in  one  or  two 
of  their  generals. 

Jackson  planted  himself  near  the  Warrenton  pike  on  the  27th, 
and,  forming  his  battalions  in  battle  array,  waited  either  the  attack 
of  the  Federals  or  the  arrival  of  Lee  with  the  rest  of  the  army. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  28th,  while  Ricketts  was  disputing  with 
Longstreet  at  the  Gap,  the  division  of  General  King  came  marching 
up  the  Warrenton  pike,  bound  for  Centreville,  when  Jackson  at  once 
pounced  upon  them,  expecting  an  easy  victory  over  the  bewildered 
regiments ;  but  these  were  troops  unaccustomed  to  retreat,  and 
Doubleday  and  Gibbon,  who  commanded  the  two  brigades  assailed, 
turned  so  fiercely  on  the  five  or  six  brigades  that  Jackson  launched 
upon  them  that  they  were  glad  to  take  their  hands  oft"  and  let  the 
Union  forces  go  in  peace. 

Finally,  the  bagging  process  having  proved  a  failure,  the  scattered 
and  wearied  divisions  of  the  Union  army  were  concentrated  in 
proximity  to  the  stone  house  on  the  29th,  and  on  the  30th  was 
fought  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  on  almost  the  identical 
ground  where  McDowell  and  Beauregard  fought  the  first  battle  in 
July,  1861.  There  was  some  severe  fighting  near  Groveton  on  the 
29th,  but  nothing  decisive  was  achieved  on  either  side,  and  both 
armies  drew  off  and  dressed  their  lines  for  the  great  battle  of  the  3oth. 

Military  men  who  are  competent  to  judge  say  that  Pope's  true 
policy  would  have  been  to  fall  back  to  the  line  of  Bull  Run  and 
maintain  that  line  until  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  came  up.  Proba 
bly  it  was  the  wise  thing  to  do ;  but  General  Pope  was  not  the  man 
to  run  away  from  an  enemy  until  he  was  compelled  to,  and  he  stayed 
as  long  as  he  could  and  fought  his  army  as  best  he  could,  though  we 
now  see  that  he  labored  under  an  entirely  wrong  idea  of  the  situa 
tion,  and  though  his  soldiers  fought  never  so  bravely,  it  was  all  in 
vain. 

We  will  now  describe  the  battle,  and  to  understand  the  situation 


o s 


*    1C 


2n€\,  Bu))    Run.  Ai.Lq.3  O,  'S^Z/A6ou.t  4.  P  M. 
is  mc\p  \ndxccvYcs  -tke  cjtvxtvcxX  {JosiVions  about  4-.  O'OocK. 

LonaeVrecV  CLdLvcxv^citol/,  Evaus  anct>\ooct  ovevwVxelv>tecl 

and  Sooa  cru-sVxccL  N\c.  Utart  c^vxd-JXndl^^Aovv^  tKtvu 

TowcrSj^naxu^  'fovcma  all  -tHfu^Mow  )n\e,    bctc^K  fc 
.•«?...  ' 

1  ">   UNION  •        •    CONrCOtAATI 

BULL  RUN,  Auoi'ST  30,  1862. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  63 

in  the  early  afternoon  of  August  30  we  will  stand  at  the  stone  house, 
at  the  corner  of  the  Springs  road  and  the  pike,  and  locate  the  troops 
of  both  armies.  First  the  Confederates.  About  two  miles  straight 
down  the  pike  they  were  formed  in  line  of  battle,  Longstreet,  with  fif 
teen  brigades,  many  batteries  of  artillery,  and  Stuart's  cavalry,  being 
posted  mainly  on  the  south  side  of  the  pike,  and  Jackson  on  the 
north  side,  along  an  old  railroad  grading,  with  fourteen  brigades  of 
infantry  and  a  number  of  batteries,  to  hold  the  position  chosen  for 
a  good  defence.  In  round  figures,  Longstreet  had  a  compact  force, 
well  in  hand,  of  upward  of  30,000  men  ;  Jackson's  command  num 
bered  over  26,000;  Stuart  had  three  brigades  of  cavalry;  while  the 
artillery  amounted  to  about  4000  more,  distributed  among  both  wings 
of  the  army, — a  well-seasoned  army,  flushed  with  conscious  strength, 
composed  of  over  65,000  good  soldiers,  who  believed  that  "Uncle 
Bob"  and  "  Old  Stonewall"  could  lead  them  anywhere. 

We  will  now  turn  to  the  Union  line  and  note  the  strength  and 
location  of  each  corps  and  division,  standing,  as  before  stated,  at 
the  stone  house,  looking  down  the  pike  towards  the  Confederate 
position.  Reynolds,  with  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves,  a  little  over 
4000  strong,  had  been  posted  near  Bald  Hill  and  the  Chinn  farm,  to 
our  left  oblique,  but  about  three  o'clock  these  troops  were  ordered  to 
the  right  of  the  pike  by  the  commanding  general,  to  assist  Porter's 
attack.  This  left  only  Warren's  "brigade  of  two  regiments  of  zouaves 
and  McLean's  brigade  of  Sigel's  corps  on  the  left  of  the  pike  to 
withstand  the  shock  of  Longstreet's  immense  force  when  it  got 
ready  to  move. 

A.  mile  or  so  out  the  pike  Porter's  corps  was  assaulting  the  rebel 
lines.  Porter  had,  including  Warren,  about  8000  men  in  line.  He 
was  to  the  right  of  the  pike,  and  to  his  right  Hatch's  division 
charged  Jackson  in  conjunction  with  Porter.  Then  following  to 
the  right  came  Hooker,  then  Kearney,  and  two  brigades  of  Ricketts's 
division  on  the  extreme  right.  The  9th  Corps  was  back  of  Hooker, 
and  Sigel  was  on  the  Dogan  farm,  a  half  mile  in  rear  of  Porter. 
Tower's  and  Hartsuff  's  brigades  of  Ricketts's  division  were  near  the 
stone  house  on  our  right,  but  will  be  presently  hurried  to  the  left  on 
Bald  Hill  to  face  Longstreet.  To  recapitulate  the  Union  strength  : 
Sigel  numbered  in  line  of  battle  barely  9000  men;  McDowell, 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE 

10,000;  Reynolds,  nearly  5000;  Sturgis,  2000;  Heintzelman, 
8000  ;  Porter,  8000  ;  Qth  Corps,  8000  ;  the  cavalry  2000,  and  artil 
lery  3000,  —  in  all,  not  55,000  men,  ill  fed,  weary,  and  falsely 
posted  to  fight  a  defensive  battle,  the  advantage  in  everything  being 
with  the  Southerners,  who,  understanding  the  situation,  had  a  sure 
thing  on  the  result. 

The  reason  why  the  Union  force  was  so  badly  posted  to  resist  an 
attack  was  because  General  Pope  conceived  the  idea  that  Lee  was  on 
the  skedaddle,  and  he  was  arranging  his  columns  for  an  immedi 
ate  and  fierce  pursuit,  when  nothing  was  further  from  Lee's  thoughts. 
General  Reynolds  knew  that  Lee  contemplated  an  attack,  as  did 
also  Sigel  and  Porter,  and  finally  McDowell  and  Pope  ;  but  the 
storm  had  burst  and  it  was  too  late  then  to  get  under  shelter. 

The  battle  t>egan  about  three  o'clock  P.M.,  Porter,  by  Pope's 
orders,  attacking  along  the  pike,  and  the  battle  being  quickly  taken 
up  by  the  troops  on  Porter's  right,  until  it  raged  along  the  whole 
line;  but  the  Union  troops  were  repulsed,  though  the  attack  was 
handsomely  made  and  gallantly  sustained. 

The  Confederates  had  massed  several  batteries  at  Groveton,  and 
when  Porter's  men  exposed  their  flank  in  their  advance,  these  guns 
gave  them  a  terrible  raking  from  the  left,  which  cut  through  their 
Cranks  like  a  cyclone.  No  troops  could  stand  long  against  such  an 
unmerciful  pelting  of  cannon-balls  on  the  flank  and  musket-balls  in 
front,  and  they  were  forced  to  fall  back,  after  suffering  an  appalling 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded. 

Seeing  the  Union  repulse,  Longstreet's  eager  brigades  were  called 
up  and  let  loose  on  the  unprotected  Union  left.  They  swept  along 
I  both  sides  of  the  pike,  running  over  Warren's  red-legged  soldiers  and 
V  bringing  square  up  against  McLean's  Ohio  brigade,  Koltes's  brigade, 
Anderson's  brigade  of  Pennsylvanians,  and  Hartsuff's  and  Tower's 
brigades  of  Ricketts's  division,  all  having  been  double-quicked  to 
the  south  of  the  pike  at  the  time  that  Longstreet's  graybacks  un 
covered  and  made  concealment  no  longer  necessary.  These  bri 
gades  presented  a  broken  and  disconnected,  though  stubborn,  front 
to  the  enemy's  advance,  and  delayed  it  long  enongh  to  enable  the 
Pennsylvania  Reserves,  the  regulars,  and  other  troops  to  establish  a 
line  on  the  Henry  house  hill,  thus  effectually  checking  Longstreet's 


euw 


tfc* 


ttt  vi 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  65 

advance  in  that  direction.  Milroy's  brigade  formed  along  the  Sud- 
ley  road  and  held  its  position  against  repeated  assaults  until  dark, 
when  all  the  Union  troops  had  been  forced  back  to  this  point. 

On  the  right,  with  Hooker  and  Kearney  and  Reno,  the  battle  had 
not  fared  so  badly  ;  but  when  the  left  gave  way  the  right  was  com 
pelled  to  fall  back  also,  prolonging  the  line  along  the  Sudley  road 
until  dark,  when  the  entire  army,  save  the  dead  and  badly  wounded, 
fell  back  to  Centreville. 

There  has  been  but  little  change  in  the  appearance  of  the  country 
since,  and  the  scene  of  the  battle  was  easily  recognized  ;  the  stone 
house  is  still  at  the  corner,  the  Henry  house  is  on  the  hill,  while  the 
Chinn  house  and  Dogan  house  are  in  plain  view  from  the  Henry 
house  hill.  Bald  Hill,  where  Tower's  and  Hartsuff's  brigades  made 
their  gallant  and  hopeless  fight,  is  now  called  Battery  Hill  by  the 
natives,  and  the  wood  on  the  left  where  Longstreet  advanced  on 
the  flank  is  still  there,  though  no  treacherous  foe  lurks  in  its  dark 
shadows. 

I  drove  to  the  Chinn  farm  and  stood  where  the  Washington 
Artillery  went  into  battery  and  raked  the  troops  along  Bald  Hill. 
In  the  yard  of  the  Henry  house  a  rough  monument  of  undressed 
stone  was  erected  in  war  times  to  the  memory  of  those  who  died 
hard  by,  and  near  Groveton  is  a  like  monument,  but  both  were  sadly 
in  need  of  repairs  and  threatening  to  topple  over  on  account  of  the 
settling  of  the  foundations. 

The  losses  of  both  armies  from  August  16  to  September  2  are 
officially  reported  as  follows  : 

UNION  LOSS. 

Army  of  Virginia  ...................  8,105 

Army  of  the  Potomac  .................  4»728 

9th  Corps    ......................  !>523 

Kanawha  division     ..................  IQ6 


Total 


CONFEDERATE    LOSS. 

Longstreet's  corps     ..................  4»5°° 

Jackson's  corps      ...................  4>532 

Cavalry  and  artillery     .................  8o° 

Total  ......................  9,832 

5 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE 

In  connection  with  the  map  of  Bull  Run,  the  following  extract 
from  Alfred  Davenport,  historian  of  the  5th  New  York,  is  submitted  : 

Your  map  is  as  near  right,  in  my  opinion,  as  can  well  be ;  it  is  impossible  to 
place  the  ever-varying  positions  of  troops  in  a  battle  in  stationary  attitudes  like 
chessmen.  Warren's  brigade  only  took  up  a  front  of  about  a  regiment ;  you  might 
have  made  its  line  shorter  and  put  the  left  in  the  woods.  The  5th  Texas  envel 
oped  our  left;  the  Hampton  Legion  our  front;  the  i8ih  Georgia  overlapped  our 
right;  then  came  the  4th  and  ist  Texas.  .  .  .  We  saw  the  whole  of  Reynolds's 
division  march  in  front  of  us  and  over  to  the  right,  before  Warren  saw  the  neces 
sity  of  advancing  to  take  its  place.  I  think  Jackson's  (Anderson's)  brigade 
was  caught  on  the  tail  end  before  it  joined  the  other  two  north  of  the  pike ;  it 
must  have  been  near  the  pike,  just  south  of  it,  and  when  McLean  moved  to  Bald 
Kidge,  it  (Jackson)  was  in  advance  of  and  to  his  right.  McLean  says,  "  We 
could  at  this  time  see  the  rebels  driving  before  them  a  regiment  of  zouaves  on  our 
front  and  a  little  to  our  right." 

The  Texas  brigade  was  driving  us,  and  it  was  they  who  captured  Kerns's  bat 
tery,  supported  by  Jackson. 

ALFRED  DAVENPORT. 

NEW  YORK,  May  n,  1894. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  67 


CHAPTER   XI. 

CHANTILLY    TO    SOUTH    MOUNTAIN,    AUGUST    3!    TO    SEPTEMBER    15, 

1862. 

THE  night  march  to  Centreville  was  a  dismal  one.  All  along  the 
road,  in  the  darkness  and  gloom,  the  commanders  tried  to  collect 
their  men,  and  the  hoarse  cries  of  "  This  way  for  Tower's  brigade," 
"Fall  in,  88th,"  resounded  through  the  cheerless  night.  Colonel 
Christian,  of  the  26th  New  York,  with  the  brigade  flag,  halted  before 
reaching  Centreville,  and  by  daybreak  the  remnants  of  the  regiments 
were  mostly  with  their  colors.  Sunday  morning,  the  3ist,  brought 
a  chilling  rain  upon  friend  and  foe,  adding  greatly  to  the  sufferings 
of  the  wounded  men  lying  in  helpless  agony,  with  shattered  bones 
and  putrid  wounds,  upon  the  red  field  they  had  so  heroically  battled 
to  win.  Some  were  carried  to  hastily-equipped  hospitals,  but  the 
greater  part  lay  for  days  upon  the  damp  ground,  exposed  to  sun  and 
rain,  with  no  water  or  food  ;  their  running  wounds  undressed,  blown 
by  flies  and  alive  with  maggots,  they  were  literally  rotting  in  their 
misery  and  helplessness. 

On  Sunday  morning  it  was  fully  expected  that  Lee  would  follow 
up  his  victory  by  at  once  attacking  our  dispirited  troops,  a  rumor 
being  circulated  that  the  enemy  was  coming  up  the  pike  in  battle 
array,  and  the  brigade  fell  into  line,  batteries  were  planted,  and  line 
of  battle  formed  to  meet  the  expected  attack.  Notwithstanding 
the  defeat  they  had  suffered,  the  soldiers  appeared  to  revive  won 
derfully  at  the  prospect  of  another  battle^!  every  man  taking  his  posi 
tion  with  alacrity  and  spirit,  and  if  an  attack  had  been  made  the 
enemy  would  undoubtedly  have  been  given  a  warm  reception.  All 
day  long  many  hundreds  of  conveyances  of  every  description  passed 
by  slowly  towards  Washington,  freighted  with  the  wounded  brought 
in  from  the  battle-field. 

On  the  morning  of  September  i  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE 

was  moving  to  the  right,  consequently  we  were  compelled  to  fall 
back  towards  Fairfax.  While  on  the  retrograde  heavy  firing  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  Chantilly,  and  the  division  was  double- 
quicked  to  that  place,  forming  line  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  with 
a  field  in  front  and  another  belt  of  timber  about  300  yards  distant. 
The  skirmishers  were  popping  away  beyond  the  woods,  but  no  enemy 
appeared  in  our  front.  While  standing  in  the  rain  and  mud,  a  staff 
officer  rode  slowly  along  the  line  and  quietly  exhorted  the  men  to 
make  a  good  fight.  "If  we  are  defeated,  I  fear  for  Washington," 
he  said.  Under  this  earnest  plea,  and  understanding  the  importance 
of  making  a  firm  stand,  the  men  braced  up,  resolving  to  win  a  vic 
tory  or  die  where  they  were. 

All  this  dreary,  cheerless  night  the  men  stood  or  sat  as  best  they 
could  in  line  of  battle,  soaked  and  benumbed  by  the  chilling  rain, 
without  shelter,  minus  blankets  or  any  protection  from  the  pitiless 
storm,  and  probably  more  men  were  lost  to  the  regiment  from  this 
night's  exposure  than  would  have  been  from  a  battle.  The  brigade 
remained  in  this  position  until  the  afternoon  of  the  2d,  then  moving 
off,  halted  at  dusk  at  Hall's  Hill  to  rest  a  while  from  the  labors  of 
this  never-to-be-forgotten  campaign. 

The  following  table,  taken  from  the  morning  reports,  shows  the 
strength  of  the  regiment  on  the  dates  indicated : 

Aug.  17,  1862.  Sept.  5,  1862. 

Commissioned  officers  for  duty 24  14 

Non-commissioned  officers  for  duty 95  67 

Privates  for  duty 446  263 

Total  for  duty 565  344 

Total  present 637  415 

These  reports  show  a  regimental  loss  of  221  men,  from  all  causes, 
between  the  dates  mentioned ;  of  these,  175  were  disabled  in  action, 
leaving  about  fifty  whose  services  were  lost  to  the  regiment  by  sick 
ness  and  straggling,  nearly  all  being  attributable  to  disease.  The 
next  two  or  three  days  were  spent  in  trying  to  clean  up  and  get  in 
good  condition  ;  but,  as  no  clothing  was  issued,  it  was  difficult  to 
improve  our  personal  appearance  except  by  the  plentiful  application 
of  soap  and  water,  which  was  industriously  applied  by  the  men. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  69 

The  camp  had  scarcely  been  formed  and  the  guns  stacked,  before 
the  hawk-eyed  sutler  swept  down  on  the  bivouac  like  a  bird  of  prey, 
and  such  a  rush  by  the  famished  soldiers  would  be  difficult  to 
describe ;  though  the  prices  were  away  up,  the  Shylocks  quickly 
disposed  of  all  their  goods  at  a  tremendous  profit.  Everything  was 
a  dollar :  canned  goods,  a  pound  of  cheese,  a  plug  of  tobacco,— 
everything  brought  the  "  almighty  dollar,"  and  the  boys  esteemed 
it  a  privilege  to  be  swindled  by  the  sharpers. 

Then  came  the  newsboy  with  an  immense  pack  of  Philadelphia 
Inquirers  slung  over  the  neck  of  his  horse,  selling  them  for  ten  cents 
each  as  fast  as  he  could  whip  them  off  his  bundle.  The  soldiers 
were  hungry  for  news ;  though  they  had  been  on  the  war-path  for  a 
month,  they  knew  comparatively  very  little  of  what  had  been  done, 
and  could  only  form  an  intelligent  opinion  by  reading  the  news 
papers.  • 

The  mail  messenger  also  put  in  an  appearance  and  distributed  the 
letters,  the  first  mail  received  since  the  2oth  of  August.  A  very  sad 
phase  of  this  was  the  letters  for  comrades  who  had  been  killed  in 
battle.  These  were  carefully  and  sadly  returned  to  the  writers,  with 
an  account  of  the  fate  and  possibly  the  last  word  or  some  token  of 
the  dead  soldier. 

The  time  given  for  rest  and  reorganization  at  Hall's  Hill  was 
short,  for  on  the  evening  of  Saturday,  September  5,  the  general 
sounded  "pack  up,"  and  in  an  hour  the  column  headed  for  the 
river ;  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  again  on  the  move.  The  route 
was  through  the  viaduct  bridge  across  the  Potomac,  through  George 
town  to  Washington,  and  out  Seventh  Street  to  the  Maryland  line. 
The  city  had  gone  to  sleep  when  our  part  of  the  line  passed  through, 
and  the  men  marched  along  in  silence ;  indeed,  it  is  doubtful  if 
the  people  of  Washington  knew  that  the  army  was  passing.  All 
night  long  the  march  was  continued,  until  a  halt  was  made  near 
Crystal  Springs,  and  the  men  rested  until  Tuesday,  the  pth,  when 
the  march  was  resumed  until  the  twelve-mile  stone  was  reached,  at 
which  place  the  corps  again  bivouacked  in  the  beautiful  fields  of  this 
fair  country,  that  seemed  flowing  with  milk  and  honey.  The  corn 
was  in  prime  condition  for  roasting  and  the  fruit-trees  hung  heavily 
laden  with  their  ripening  clusters ;  still,  there  was  but  little  foraging 


70  HISTORY  OF   THE 

done,  except  probably  by  the  coffee-coolers,  who  had  the  faculty  of 
knowing  where  the  fattest  pickings  could  be  procured,  while  the 
faithful  soldier  plodded  patiently  in  the  ranks.  The  loyal  surroundings 
caused  a  marked  revolution  in  the  feelings  and  expressions  of  the  rank 
and  file,  who  heartily  enjoyed  the  warm  welcome  given  by  the  patri 
otic  people  in  the  little  towns  along  the  route,  and  the  sight  of  citizens 
waving  Union  flags  would  bring  an  outburst  of  lusty  hurrahs  from 
the  soldiers  as,  with  lightened  step,  they  went  marching  on,  singing 
''We'll  rally  round  the  flag,  boys,"  or  some  other  favorite  song. 

The  march  was  resumed  on  September  n,  the  villages  of  Mechan- 
icsville  and  Brookville  being  passed  and  camp  made  beyond  Cooks- 
ville.  The  people  all  along  the  road  expressed  the  greatest  surprise 
at  the  number  of  men  passing,  saying  they  never  thought  there  were 
that  many  men  in  the  whole  country. 

On  the  1 2th  the  column  passed  through  Lisbon  and  Poplar 
Springs,  and  the  next  day  New  Market  and  Liberty,  halting  near 
the  thrifty  little  city  of  Frederick.  The  Confederates  had  been  in 
this  region,  and  the  citizens  were  more  than  glad  to  see  the  honest 
faces  of  Uncle  Sam's  boys  again,  and  gave  them  a  loyal  reception, 
which  was  heartily  responded  to  by  the  boys  in  the  form  of  many 
hurrahs  and  patriotic  songs  as  they  went  marching  on. 

On  Sunday,  September  14,  the  brigade  pushed  on  after  the  enemy, 
but,  to  the  disappointment  of  the  men,  the  88th  was  detailed  with 
the  train  as  a  reserve.  Early  in  the  afternoon  the  sounds  of  battle 
beyond  the  mountain  became  very  distinct,  the  citizens  taking  the 
keenest  interest;  those  having  horses  excitedly  rode  to  and  fro, 
anxious  for  information  and  a  sight  of  the  conflict.  These  old  hills 
had  never  before  been  stirred  with  the  roar  and  rumble  of  opposing 
cannon,  and  it  was  a  great  day  for  the  people.  Late  in  the  after 
noon  an  aide  came  for  Major  Gile,  with  orders  to  report  to  the 
brigade  at  once,  and  the  march  was  quickly  resumed ;  passing 
through  Middletown,  we  were  soon  swinging  away  to  the  battle, 
a  dozen  miles  off. 

Upon  crossing  the  Catoctin  and  nearing  the  contested  field,  it 
became  dark,  and  after  groping  around  a  while  it  was  deemed  ad 
visable  by  Major  Gile  to  halt  and  wait  for  morning,  it  being  evident 
that  the  fight  was  over,  as  only  an  occasional  flash  and  report  could 


ALFRED  DUNRAR  EHMKNTROUT. 


HENRY  N.  KUHN. 


LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  G.  BOONE. 


JONATHAN  L.  WENTZEL.  COKPOKAI.  ('.EOK<;E  W.  (IAYI.OKD. 

COiMPANV    B. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  71 

be  seen  and  heard.  The  major  formed  the  companies  in  line  of 
battle  and  rested,  but  at  the  first  glimmering  ray  of  light  the  regi 
ment  fell  in,  and,  marching  down  the  valley  and  up  the  hill,  past  a 
little  church  where  the  wounded  not  only  occupied  the  building  but 
lay  thickly  on  the  ground  outside,  soon  reached  the  brigade,  the  men 
resting  on  their  arms  and  in  line  of  battle,  occupying  the  contested 
field  ;  the  enemy  had  been  driven  up  the  rough  and  broken  side  of 
the  mountain  the  previous  afternoon,  and  during  the  night  had  with 
drawn  his  shattered  battalions,  leaving  the  field  in  possession  of  the 
Union  army.  This  is  one  of  the  few  contests  of  the  war  which  the 
Confederates  did  not  claim  as  a  victory,  their  defeat  being  so  decisive 
that  no  room  was  left  for  them  to  claim  any  sort  of  a  triumph.  As 
the  regiment  marched  up  the  steep  sides  of  the  mountain  and  exam 
ined  the  commanding  position  the  enemy  had  occupied,  the  difficul 
ties  the  troops  had  encountered  were  fully  seen,  and  much  praise 
was  accorded  Ricketts's  division  for  so  successful  an  assault.  Dead 
and  wounded  Confederates  lay  around  everywhere,  many  yet  lying 
where  they  had  fought,  while  the  buildings  in  the  Gap  and  vicinity 
were  full  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  abandoned  to  their  fate. 

The  88th  does  not  claim  a  very  active  part  in  the  battle  of  South 
Mountain ;  but  it  was  in  close  proximity  to  the  field  in  the  perform 
ance  of  its  duty,  and  if  not  called  upon  it  was  through  no  fault  of 
the  regiment.  However,  what  the  boys  lost  here  in  experience  was 
more  than  made  up  a  day  or  two  later  at  Antietam  Creek. 

On  Monday,  September  15,  the  brigade  joined  in  the  pursuit  of 
the  enemy,  passing  through  the  loyal  village  of  Boonsborough,  a 
mile  or  two  west  of  the  mountain,  where  the  grateful  and  patriotic 
people  received  our  soldiers  as  deliverers,  showing  by  a  free  display  of 
the  stars  and  stripes  and  in  other  unmistakable  ways  how  happy  they 
were  to  see  the  blue-coats  again.  In  the  distance,  over  the  trees, 
the  smoke  of  the  batteries  which  had  overtaken  the  enemy  was  visi 
ble,  and  the  rumble  and  roar  of  the  cannon  echoed  along  the  moun 
tain,  causing  the  blood  to  beat  faster  in  the  veins  of  the  soldiers 
in  that  hurrying  column,  as  they  pressed  forward  to  the  position 
held  by  the  enemy,  and  perhaps  somewhat  nervously  speculated 
upon  their  chances  of  filling  a  soldier's  grave  in  the  coming  battle. 
When  Keedysville  was  reached  a  halt  was  made,  the  men  scatter- 


72  HISTORY   OF   THE 

ing  along  the  roadside,  resting  ;  while  lying  here  a  great  commo 
tion  was  noticed  down  the  rear  of  the  column,  the  men  throwing 
up  their  caps  and  cheering  with  a  spirit  which  indicated  that  some 
distinguished  person  was  approaching.  Soon  a  brilliant  cavalcade 
came  trotting  along, — the  commander-in-chief  and  his  numerous 
escort, — and  as  the  men  recognized  the  general  they  all  rose  with 
the  most  frantic  demonstrations  of  delight,  shouting  "McClellan, 
McClellan  is  coming  !  hurrah  for  McClellan  !"  until  they  appeared 
more  like  a  crowd  of  boys  than  the  staid  and  weary  soldiers  of  a 
few  minutes  before,  and  this  noisy  reception  continued  until  the 
general  passed  by. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  merits  of  General  McClellan  as  a 
successful  commander,  there  can  be  no  question  of  the  confidence 
that  the  soldiers  reposed  in  him,  which  found  expression  in  the  most 
enthusiastic  receptions  whenever  he  rode  along  the  lines.  Prob 
ably  much  of  this  feeling  could  be  traced  to  an  intense  desire  to 
have  some  one  capable  of  successfully  leading  them  against  the 
rebels,  the  failures  of  Pope  and  McDowell's  disastrous  campaign  in 
Virginia  having  greatly  discouraged  the  soldiers,  who,  confident  in 
their  own  power,  felt  that  there  was  gross  mismanagement  some 
where,  or  they  would  never  have  been  defeated  in  that  humiliating 
movement;  and  the  presence  of  McClellan  had  a  perceptible  effect 
in  restoring  that  confidence  so  essential  to  success  in  an  army  of 
thinking  soldiers. 

"  Fighting  Joe  Hooker,"  as  he  was  familiarly  called  (another  gen 
eral  who  occupied  a  big  place  in  the  soldiers'  hearts),  commanded  the 
corps,  General  Ricketts  led  the  division,  and  Colonel  Christian,  of 
the  26th  New  York,  temporarily  had  charge  of  the  brigade.  The 
88th  had  about  350  men  present,  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade 
being  probably  a  little  stronger.  The  division  rested  near  the  creek 
on  the  night  of  the  1510,  and  on  the  following  afternoon  advanced 
to  feel  for  the  enemy  on  the  other  side. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  73 


CHAPTER   XII. 
ANTIETAM:  SEPTEMBER  16  TO  18,   1862. 

ANTIETAM  CREEK  was  crossed  on  the  afternoon  of  September  16 
(Tuesday)  ;  then  the  brigades,  breaking  into  column,  ready  to  form 
line  of  battle,  with  skirmishers  well  to  the  front  and  closely  sup 
ported  by  the  artillery,  moved  slowly  forward  to  find  the  enemy. 
Very  soon  the  sharp  crack  of  the  rifles  indicated  that  the  Johnnies 
were  on  hand  ;  then  the  artillery,  galloping  up,  went  into  battery, 
shelling  the  woods  to  develop  the  enemy's  position.  The  Southern 
troops  were  steadily  pressed  back  until  dusk,  when  our  advance 
reached  their  line  of  battle,  their  cannon  opening  a  lively  fire,  to 
which  the  Union  cannoneers  very  promptly  responded.  The  bri 
gade  was  massed  directly  in  the  rear  of  our  cannon  and  received  the 
full  benefit  of  the  enemy's  fire,  shell  bursting  all  around;  but  the 
men  of  the  command  behaved  with  admirable  coolness,  no  flinching 
being  anywhere  noticed,  though  the  fragments  from  the  enemy's 
projectiles  were  cutting  the  air  and  sward  in  every  direction. 

The  pall  of  night  had  fallen  over  the  scene,  hiding  friend  and 
foe,  but  the  artillerymen  on  both  sides  did  not  appear  to  be  satisfied 
and  still  kept  industriously  at  work.  Every  time  a  piece  was  dis 
charged  the  flash  of  the  gun  illuminated  the  surroundings,  producing 
an  effect  similar  to  that  of  sheet-lightning ;  and  when  the  other 
fellows  sent  their  howling  compliments  back,  the  flash  from  their 
exploding  shell  fitfully  lit  up  the  ranks,  and  the  broken  particles 
went  buzzing  around  in  search  of  victims. 

Presently  the  cannonading  ceased  and  the  brigade  moved  up  to 
take  position  for  the  morning's  work.  The  night  was  exceedingly 
dark,  but  all  went  well  until  the  woods  were  reached,  when  the  dark 
ness  became  so  impenetrable  that  it  was  impossible  to  know  where 
to  go,  the  men  being  compelled  to  clutch  one  another  by  the  cloth 
ing  or  bayonet  scabbard  to  keep  together.  Groping  around  in  the 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE 

gloom  and  in  the  utmost  silence,  the  line  was  advanced,  expecting 
every  moment  to  get  a  volley  from  the  enemy ;  but  the  position  was 
reached  at  last,  very  much  to  the  relief  of  the  soldiers,  who  did  not 
relish  this  stumbling  around  through  the  timber  in  the  dark.  Then 
the  supperless  men  lay  on  the  ground  to  rest  until  morning,  though 
the  vigilant  pickets  occasionally  disturbed  their  uneasy  slumbers  by 
a  scattering  volley,  mayhap  to  let  us  know  that  they  were  attend 
ing  to  business.  What  each  individual  soldier's  thoughts  were  this 
eventful  night,  on  the  eve  of  battle,  will  never  be  known  ;  but  there 
was  no  trifling  or  jesting,  a  deeply  solemn  feeling  entering  the  soul 
of  every  man  as  he  thought  of  the  chances  for  entering  eternity  on 
the  morrow. 

At  the  first  blush  of  dawn  on  the  iyth  the  order  to  fall  in  was 
quickly  passed  along  the  lines,  and  simultaneously  the  battle  opened 
beyond  the  woods,  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  to  the  front.  There 
was  no  time  for  breakfast  or  to  refill  canteens,  not  even  opportu 
nity  to  brush  the  dirt  from  the  soiled  uniforms;  but  forming  at  once 
in  column  of  division,  with  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade  on 
the  flanks,  the  battalion  moved  forward  to  the  place  assigned  it. 

If  the  brigade  had  been  taken  into  Bull  Run  like  a  mob,  it  was 
evident  that  that  error  was  not  to  be  repeated  here  ;  but  to  the 
anxious  men  in  the  ranks  it  seemed  that  an  unnecessary  amount  of 
drilling  was  performed.  The  stentorian  voice  of  Major  Gile  was 
heard  above  the  tumult  of  battle,  giving  the  commands  in  quick 
succession:  "Forward,  guide  centre,"  then  "By  the  right  flank," 
followed  by  "Forward"  again,  the  shells  from  the  enemy's  cannon 
meanwhile  shrieking  and  flying  all  around,  striking  the  ground  in  a 
wicked  manner  and  throwing  up  the  dirt  and  dust  in  great  clouds  as 
high  as  the  trees.  The  hideous  noise  made  by  these  projectiles  as 
they  screamed  through  the  air  was  indescribable ;  it  appeared  to  the 
blue  masses  in  that  advancing  host  as  if  all  the  devils  infernal  had 
been  incarnated  and  assembled  on  this  horrible  field,  with  power  to 
make  the  most  terrible  noises  that  were  ever  heard.  At  any  rate,  the 
appalling  sound  caused  by  these  missiles  was  enough  to  terrify  the 
heart  of  the  bravest  and  cause  the  blood  to  chill  in  one's  veins;  and 
as  the  enemy  had  good  range,  the  shells  flew  and  fell  and  burst  all 
over  the  field,  as  some  of  the  boys  had  it,  in  a  very  reckless  manner. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  75 

As  the  shells,  striking  the  ground,  ricocheted  or  exploded  as  they 
struck,  the  hot  fragments  flew  around  in  every  direction,  or  when  a  fuse 
shell  burst  overhead  the  impinging  pieces  carried  destruction  and 
havoc  in  the  ranks  underneath.  Many  of  these  projectiles  exploded 
with  fatal  effect,  killing  and  wounding  a  number  of  our  men  before 
they  had  an  opportunity  to  fire  a  shot ;  but  the  ranks  closed  up,  not 
a  man  wavering  or  leaving  his  place  without  orders,  and  the  brigade 
moved  quietly  forward,  all  the  time  subject  to  this  horrible  tempest 
of  iron,  the  wounded  limping  painfully  and  slowly  to  the  rear,  but 
the  survivors  setting  their  faces  resolutely  towards  the  enemy.  A 
growth  of  heavy  timber  known  as  the  East  Woods  was  soon  reached 
and  a  brief  halt  ordered,  the  bullets  meanwhile  droning  and  zipping 
merrily  around  ;  but  no  very  great  damage  was  done,  except  by  the 
artillery  fire,  which  was  still  terribly  effective. 

About  this  time  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy  was  massing  in  our 
front,  and  as  the  front  line  was  almost  out  of  ammunition,  it  was 
decided  to  send  us  in,  and  Major  Gile  rang  out,  "Attention,  88th. 
On  first  division  deploy  column,  march.  Forward,  guide  centre. 
Halt.  Commence  firing,"  and  the  boys  were  in  the  fight.  Five 
minutes  before  more  than  one  man  in  that  battalion  would  have  been 
two  hundred  miles  away  from  this  unhealthy  place,  if  wishing  could 
have  accomplished  it ;  but  now,  excited  by  the  maddening  tumult 
of  battle  and  encouraged  by  the  acts  and  presence  of  comrades,  all 
sense  of  personal  fear  fled,  the  surroundings  making  every  man  as 
brave  as  a  Trojan,  forgetful  of  all  personal  danger,  and  intent  only 
upon  inflicting  all  possible  damage  upon  the  enemy. 

Directly  in  front  and  to  the  right  of  the  regiment  was  an  immense 
cornfield  occupied  by  the  enemy,  to  whom  the  men  sent  their  leaden 
compliments  as  fast  as  they  could  load  and  fire,  the  graybacks 
doing  the  same  favor  in  return.  A  burning  barn  was  fiercely  blazing 
a  little  to  the  left,  while  to  the  right  heavy  lines  of  the  enemy  were 
in  sight,  apparently  bearing  heavily  on  the  regiments  farther  to  the 
right.  The  Confederates  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  regiment 
were  mostly  concealed,  and  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  get  a  fair 
shot  at  them,  but  their  fire  told  very  severely  on  the  ranks  of  the  com 
mand,  the  men  dropping  like  autumn  leaves  in  a  storm.  During  this 
tempest  of  missiles,  while  our  regimental  colors  were  unfurled  well  to 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  front,  a  projectile  from  a  Confederate  gun  came  tearing  and  rip 
ping  through  the  trees,  cutting  off  a  large  limb,  which,  falling  upon 
Company  I,  killed  and  disabled  several  men. 

Though  the  men  were  in  the  best  of  spirits  and  felt  competent  to 
hold  the  line,  yet  our  casualties  were  exceedingly  heavy  in  killed 
and  wounded,  among  the  latter,  Major  Gile,  Captain  Carmack,  and 
Lieutenants  Steeples,  Wingate,  Wamsley,  and  Quimby.  More  than 
one-fourth  of  the  troops  that  went  into  action  were  disabled,  but 
the  remnant  stood  by  the  colors,  loading  and  firing  as  if  it  were 
an  every-day  occurrence.  There  appeared  to  be  no  especial  com 
mands  given,  every  man  using  his  own  judgment  and  putting  his 
shots  where  they  would  do  the  most  good.  After  holding  this  posi 
tion  for  a  considerable  time,  word  was  passed  along  the  line  that  the 
regiments  on  the  flanks  had  expended  all  their  ammunition  and  it 
would  be  necessary  for  the  entire  line  to  withdraw,  so  that  other 
troops  could  take  the  position  ;  accordingly,  the  order  was  given 
to  fall  back,  though  no  enemy  was  advancing.  Very  reluctantly  the 
soldiers  obeyed,  but  many  lingered  to  get  an  extra  shot  or  two  after 
the  organization  had  moved  back  through  the  woods. 

Upon  passing  to  the  rear,  numbers  of  our  wounded  were  seen  and 
assisted  to  the  improvised  hospitals,  many  of  them  being  horribly 
mutilated,  among  whom  was  Lorenzo  Wilson,  of  Company  K,  whose 
leg  had  been  so  badly  lacerated  that  it  appeared  to  be  hanging  by 
the  skin  only.  In  reply  to  an  inquiry,  he  quietly  pointed  to  his 
dangling  leg  and  said,  "  Boys,  I've  got  it." 

The  regiment  was  rallied  and  reformed  in  the  rear,  and,  moving 
to  the  right,  lay  in  reserve,  supporting  batteries,  while  other  troops, 
taking  our  place  in  the  front,  continued  the  battle  the  rest  of  the 
day ;  but  Ricketts's  division  had  been  so  severely  handled  that  its 
aggressive  power  was  seriously  impaired.  The  regiment  lay  in  this 
position  until  nightfall,  listening  to  the  roar  and  rattle  of  the  con 
test  in  front  as  the  lines  charged  and  countercharged  ;  sometimes 
the  noise  would  gradually  recede  as  the  Federals  drove  the  Con 
federates,  the  hearty  and  manly  Union  huzzas  rising  above  the  din  ; 
but  again  the  firing  would  draw  alarmingly  near,  and  the  shrill  rebel 
yell  of  "  Ki  yi,  ki  yi  yi"  rose  sharp  and  clear  as  our  men  were 
forced  back. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  77 

When  the  mantle  of  night  covered  this  sanguinary  field  the  firing 
ceased,  and  all  was  still  except  the  pitiful  cries  and  moans  from 
thousands  of  wounded  arid  dying  men,  who,  writhing  in  dirt  and 
blood,  tortured  by  a  consuming  feverish  thirst,  broke  the  solemn 
stillness  of  the  night  by  their  plaintive  cries  and  agonizing  shrieks 
for  aid,  though  the  ambulance  corps  and  medical  department  assidu 
ously  gleaned  the  fields  for  the  ghastly  harvest,  tenderly  caring  for 
all  that  could  be  found. 

The  dull  gray  light  of  Thursday  morning  broke  upon  the  exhausted 
armies  as  they  lay  in  line  of  battle,  each  waiting  for  the  other  to 
take  the  initiative,  but  no  forward  movement  was  made.  In  the 
light  of  subsequent  events  it  is  almost  certain  that  if  the  Union 
army  had  advanced  on  the  i8th  the  Confederates  would  have  been 
taken  at  great  disadvantage  and  very  likely  utterly  defeated,  as  the 
information  afterwards  gleaned  from  the  inhabitants  within  their 
lines  represented  them  as  badly  demoralized,  with  the  roads  lined 
with  graybacks  actively  "dusting"  towards  Old  Virginia  again,  every 
straggler  intent  only  on  getting  out  of  the  way  of  the  Yanks.  But 
no  aggressive  move  was  made,  the  least  indication  of  an  advance 
being  promptly  met  by  a  sharp  fire  from  the  enemy's  skirmishers, 
his  main  body  meanwhile  preparing  for  a  general  retreat  the  coming 
night. 

To  add  to  the  discomfort,  intermittent  showers  descended,  drench 
ing  the  men,  who  had  no  opportunity  of  erecting  the  little  shelter 
tents  as  a  partial  protection  from  the  elements.  The  roll  was  now 
called  and  the  loss  noted,  the  result  indicating  that  there  were  pres 
ent  in  line, — 

Commissioned  officers     .    .    , 7 

Non-commissioned  officers 3& 

Privates  164 


Total 209 

The  aggregate  present,  including  sick,  details,  musicians,  etc.,  num 
bered  272;  the  aggregate  present  at  the  last  report  before  the  fight 
was  415,  leaving  a  clear  loss  of  143;  but  many  of  these  were  sick 
and  some  had  temporarily  joined  the  grand  army  of  coffee-coolers, 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  actual  loss  in  the  engagement  being  about  eighteen  killed  and 
sixty  wounded. 

The  report  for  September  26  aggregated  316  present,  showing  that 
the  irrepressible  stragglers  had  regained  enough  confidence  to  hunt 
their  rations  if  they  had  no  stomach  to  hunt  the  enemy,  and  that 
many  worthy  soldiers  who  had  been  compelled  to  fall  out  by  sickness 
and  exhaustion  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  take  their 
places  again  in  the  ranks. 

On  the  1  8th  rations  were  issued,  the  first  for  several  days,  including 
some  green  coffee,  which  the  men  roasted  in  their  tins,  crushing 
the  berries  as  best  they  could.  One  group  of  grinders  had  im 
provised  a  cracker-box  and  a  huge  elongated  shell  for  duty  as  a 
coffee-mill,  and  were  doing  a  brisk  business  in  ground  coffee,  when 
a  red-edged  artilleryman  passing  by  examined  the  shell,  and  in 
formed  the  astonished  grinders  that  it  was  primed  with  a  perfect 
percussion-cap,  which  needed  but  a  slight  blow  to  explode  it.  Busi 
ness  in  that  shop  was  suspended  without  further  ceremony. 

Details  were  made  from  the  companies  to  bury  those  who  had 
been  killed  in  line.  A  shallow  grave  was  dug  and  the  soldier, 
wrapped  in  his  blood-soaked  blanket,  carefully  deposited  therein,  a 
piece  of  cracker-box  or  some  other  frail  marker  serving  as  a  head 
board.  The  following  is  a  fair  sample  of  many  that  marked  these 
graves  : 

JESSE  TYSON. 
Co.  I.  88.  Regt.  1'enna.  Vols. 

Killed  Sept.  17.  1862. 

A  brave  soldier  and  a  kind  comrade. 

Rest  in  peace. 


The  command  waited  for  orders  until  the  morning  of  the 
when  it  was  found  that  the  Johnnies  had  skipped  ;  then  a  hot  pur 
suit  began,  with  the  result  that  their  rear-guard  was  overtaken  ;  but 
they  skedaddled  at  once  without  waiting  for  a  further  introduction, 
leaving  their  rations  of  flour  and  meat  half  cooked  by  the  fires. 
The  brigade  encamped  in  the  woods  which  they  had  vacated,  and  we 
were  not  long  in  discovering  that  our  chivalrous  foes  had  left  behind 
them  something  more  than  their  uncooked  rations,  in  the  shape  of 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  79 

an  industrious  and  affectionate  little  insect,  scientifically  known  as 
the  Pediculus  vestimenti ;  but  the  boys  had  a  much  shorter  name  for 
them,  though  they  were  mostly  called  graybacks.  During  the  next 
few  days,  while  in  this  place,  the  men  did  not  have  much  leisure 
time,  their  spare  moments  being  occupied  in  renewing  the  battle 
with  this  diminutive  enemy  all  along  the  line ;'*£•. 

On  September  23  the  following  detail  was  made  for  drivers  and 
attendants  to  the  division  ambulance  corps :  Sergeant  R.  B.  Cleven- 
ger,  Privates  Isaac  Eyrich,  James  Doyle,  John  Nice,  Frank  Winn, 
Samuel  Fusman,  John  Reed,  John  Myers,  Daniel  Beidler,  Albert 
Reppert,  and  Richard  W.  Seidel,  for  temporary  service. 

OFFICIAL    REPORT    OF    THE    88TH    REGIMENT    PENNSYLVANIA 

VOLUNTEERS. 

September  19,  1862. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  in  obedience  to  orders  detailing  the  regiment  as 
wagon  guard  on  the  I4th,  we  marched  through  Frederick  and  halted  about  two 
miles  west  of  it  near  dark,  when  we  received  orders  to  join  the  brigade.  We 
started  on  the  march,  passing  through  Middletown,  and  encamped  on  South 
Mountain  late  at  night  until  daylight  next  morning  (i5th),  when  we  continued 
our  march  in  search  of  the  brigade,  which  we  reached  about  10  A.M.  About  noon 
we  started,  passing  through  Boonsborough,  and  encamped  about  half  a  mile  out 
side  Keedysville.  Late  on  the  i6th  moved  forward  on  the  left  of  the  goth,  and 
laid  on  our  arms  all  night  in  a  woods.  Shortly  after  daylight  our  division  advanced 
in  line  of  battle,  our  brigade  supporting  General  Hartsuff,  the  9<Dth  on  our  right 
and  94th  on  our  left,  to  the  end  of  a  woods,  where  we  relieved  the  83d,  and  com 
menced  firing,  continuing  for  about  two  hours,  when  we  were  ordered  to  fall  back, 
fill  our  cartridge-boxes,  and  draw  rations.  During  the  engagement,  Maj.  George 
W.  Gile  was  badly  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Capt. 
Myers.  Loss:  killed,  10;  wounded,  62;  missing,  5;  total,  77. 

H.  R.  MYERS, 

Capt.  Commanding. 

A    SCATTERING    VOLLEY    AT    ANTIETAM. 

Antietam  was  the  bloodiest  one-day's  fight  of  the  war,  and  de 
serves  at  least  a  brief  notice  before  we  go  marching  on.  More  men 
were  killed  and  wounded  on  September  17  than  even  in  Grant's 
sanguinary  struggles  in  the  Wilderness  on  any  one  day.  The  Union 
loss  by  army  corps  was,— 


So  HISTORY  OF   THE 

ist  Corps 2,590 

2d  Corps 5,138 

4th  Corps 9 

5th  Corps 109 

6th  Corps 439 

9th  Corps 2,349 

!2thCorps 1,746 

Cavalry  Corps 30 

Total 12,410 

The  heaviest  loss  by  regiments  was,— 

1 5th  Massachusetts,  2d  Corps 318 

28th  Pennsylvania,  1 2th  Corps 266 

9th  New  York,  9th  Corps 235 

1 2th  Massachusetts,  1st  Corps 224 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  get  a  correct  statement  of  the  Confed 
erate  loss,  but  a  careful  examination  of  regimental,  brigade,  and 
division  reports  shows  a  loss  of  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  amount 
ing  to  13,200  from  September  13  to  20;  the  returns  being  very  im 
perfect,  however,  it  is  probable  that  the  casualties  were  upward  of 
15,000.  The  Confederate  regiments  suffering  most  were, — 

3d   North  Carolina 253 

I3th  Georgia 217 

48th  North  Carolina 217 

I3th  North  Carolina 190 

I4th  North  Carolina 213 

The  "  tar-heels,"  as  usual,  were  pushed  to  the  front. 

A  word  about  the  strength  of  the  combating  armies.  McClellan 
gives  his  force  as  follows : 

ist  Corps 14,856 

2d   Corps 18,813 

5th  Corps 12,93° 

6th  Corps 12,300 

9th  Corps 13,819 

I2th  Corps 10,126 

Cavalry  Corps 4,32° 

Total                            87,164 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


81 


He  omits  Cochrane's  brigade  of  the  4th  Corps,  which  was  not  seri 
ously  engaged,  and  might  as  well  have  left  out  the  5th  and  6th  Corps 
also,  as  only  two  regiments  of  the  5th  Corps,  one  brigade  of  the 
6th  Corps,  and  one  regiment  of  the  cavalry  division  were  actively 
engaged,  the  exceptions  noted  sustaining  nearly  all  the  loss  in  those 
corps.  The  fact  is  that  Little  Mac  fought  about  60,000  of  his  men, 
holding  the  others  in  reserve  at  a  time  when  their  ''influence" 
might  have  fully,  finally,  and  forever  settled  the  "hash"  of  Lee's 
army  and  with  it  the  fate  of  the  Confederacy.  It  was  a  tremendous 
game  with  a  magnificent  stake,  but  the  Little  Napoleon  was  afraid 
of  his  opponent's  hand. 

As  an  important  opinion  bearing  on  this  subject,  we  quote  the 
following  extract  from  the  admirable  "  History  of  the  io6th  Penn 
sylvania  Volunteers,"  written  by  Colonel  Joseph  R.  C.  Ward,  of 
Philadelphia  : 

McClellan,  in  his  report,  put  his  force  at  87,164.  Of  these  the  5th  and  6th  Corps 
and  the  Cavalry  Division,  all  numbering  29,550,  were  not  engaged;  this  would 
leave  but  57,614  of  our  troops  actually  present  for  duty.  From  this  there  must  be 
considerable  reduction  to  arrive  at  those  actually  engaged,  for  Hooker,  whose  corps 
is  reported  as  having  14,856,  says  he  took  into  action  but  9000;  and  Williams,  who 
succeeded  to  the  command  of  Mansfield's  corps,  which  is  reported  as  having  10,126 
men,  says  his  corps  numbered  but  7000. 

Taking  this  same  ratio  of  reduction  throughout  the  whole  army,  which  is  but 
fair,  as  the  reports  show  all  those  marked  present  for  duty,  and  include  all  non- 
combatants,  such  as  musicians,  teamsters,  hospital  and  ambulance  details,  besides 
the  guards  that  were  left  behind  to  guard  the  knapsacks  and  regimental  property, 
and  we  would  have  the  following  : 


11,530 


9,000 
7,000 


ist  Corps           report  14,856  present  fo 

2d 

18,813 

5th 

12,930 

6th 

12,300 

9th 

13,814 

1  2th 

10,126 

4th  and  Cavalry 

4,320 

87,159 


36,500 


To  this  may  be  added  that  portion  of  the  6th  Corps  that  moved  into  position  in 
the  afternoon,  but  was  not  actively  engaged,  and  we  will  put  down  our  number  at 
40,000,  and  we  have  both  armies  about  equal  in  point  of  numbers,  for  Lee  says 
"  the  battle  was  fought  by  less  than  40,000."  Now,  his  line  was  formed  as  a  semi 
circle,  curved  outward,  and  as  McClellan  attacked  his  line  at  only  one  place  at  a 

6 


32  HISTORY  OF   THE 

time,  Lee  was  enabled  to  move  his  forces  from  left  to  right,  and  some  of  the  same 
troops  that  fought  in  the  morning  on  his  left  were  also  engaged  in  the  afternoon 
on  his  right,  or  acted  as  support  to  ihose  engaged. 

The  Confederate  estimates  of  their  fighting  force  are,  as  usual, 
ridiculously  small.  Lee  states,  "This  great  battle  was  fought  by 
Jess  than  40,000  on  our  side."  The  irascible  D.  H.  Hill  says, 
"The  battle  was  fought  with  less  than  30,000  men.  Had  all  our 
stragglers  been  up,  McClellan's  army  would  have  been  completely 
annihilated."  General  McLaws  is  one  of  the  few  Confederates  who 
give  intelligent  figures  in  their  reports.  His  division  consisted  of 
sixteen  regiments  and  four  batteries,  numbering  on  September  14 
(Manly's  battery  excluded)  4087  men,  and  lost  in  the  subsequent 
actions  (including  Manly's),  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  2081. 
But  if  these  figures  are  incorrect,  McClellan's  estimates,  on  the  other 
hand,  savor  highly  of  bombast.  He  speaks  of  "  nearly  200,000 
men  and  500  pieces  of  artillery  engaged."  "The  enemy  was  un 
doubtedly  greatly  superior  in  number."  And  his  detailed  account 
of  Lee's  army,  in  which  he  states  that  it  aggregated  97,445  men  of 
all  arms,  shows  that  he  constantly  overrated  Lee's  strength,  while 
General  Pope,  on  the  contrary,  erred  in  the  opposite  direction. 
Pope  fought  blindly  but  manfully,  and  only  learned  the  skill  and 
strength  of  his  adversary  by  bitter  experience,  but  McClellan  was 
always  taking  counsel  of  his  fears.  Pope  never  had  even  a  fair 
chance  for  victory,  while  McClellan  time  and  again  had  the  prize 
within  reach  of  his  timid  hand.  All  this  in  the  light  of  subsequent 
information  :  we  are  all  skilful  strategists  now. 

A  careful  comparison  of  corps,  division,  brigade,  and  regimental 
reports  indicates  Lee's  strength  to  have  been  as  follows : 

Longstreet 19,000 

Jackson     15,000 

Seventy-four  batteries  of  artillery 7,000 

Cavalry 3,000 

Total 44,000 

There  were  185  regiments  of  infantry  engaged,  which,  at  200  men 
to  the  regiment,  would  amount  to  37,000  men.  Many  of  the  regi 
ments  went  into  the  fight  several  hundred  strong,  as  the  losses  prove  ; 


LIEUTENANT  ROISKKT  HERRON. 


CORPORAL  JOHN  T.  WILLIAMS. 


CAPTAIN   JOHN   J.   BELSTERLING. 

(Killed  at  Second  Bull  Run.) 


THOMAS  ALISKICHT. 


JAMES  HAC;UE. 


COMPANY    C. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA,    VOLS.  83 

others  were  the  merest  skeletons,  their  stragglers  swarming  over  the 
country.  The  Union  divisions  that  participated  in  the  battle  were 
almost  cut  to  pieces,  but  there  were  many  commands  that  had  not 
fired  a  gun,  and  if  McClellan  had  possessed  the  military  intuition  to 
gauge  the  condition  of  his  opponent,  he  could  have  checkmated 
him  in  one  move, — forward. 

The  fact  is,  that  the  Confederate  army  was  so  exhausted  and 
broken  as  to  be  in  no  condition  to  make  serious  resistance  on  the 
i8th.  Longstreet  says  on  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  "Our  ranks 
were  too  much  thinned  to  warrant  a  renewal  of  the  conflict."  A 
vivid  picture  of  the  demoralization  in  the  enemy's  lines  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  lyth  is  given  in  General  Garnett's  words,  "I  found 
troops  scattered  in  squads,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish 
men  of  different  commands.  I  gathered  as  many  men  as  I  could 
get  to  follow  me  from  among  the  dispersed  force  (which  did  not 
amount  to  a  large  number),  and  joined  Dray  ton's  command." 
General  Evans  reports,  "About  two  P.M.  I  was  ordered  to  rally  the 
troops  then  flocking  to  the  town.  After  considerable  exertion,  with 
the  assistance  of  my  entire  staff,  I  collected  about  250."  General 
Rodes  had  hard  work  to  keep  his  men  up  to  their  work.  He  says, 
"I  found  that  with  the  exception  of  a  few  men,  not  more  than  forty 
in  all,  the  brigade  had  completely  disappeared."  Colonel  Bennett, 
commanding  Anderson's  brigade,  speaks  in  the  same  vein  :  "  Masses 
of  Confederate  troops  in  great  confusion  were  seen ;  portions  of 
Anderson's  division  broke  beyond  power  of  rallying  after  five  min 
utes'  stay."  General  D.  H.  Hill  ventilates  his  feelings  over  a  wider 
field:  "The  division  lost  3000  out  of  less  than  9000  engaged  at 
Seven  Pines;  4000  out  of  10,000  in  the  battles  around  Richmond; 
but  now  the  loss  was  3241  in  two  battles  out  of  less  than  5000  en 
gaged."  The  Confederate  losses  were  simply  awful,  the  men  being 
forced  to  fight  by  their  officers  so  long  as  there  were  any  men  or 
any  fight  left.  The  yth  South  Carolina  lost  140  out  of  268;  the 
i6th  Mississippi,  144  out  of  228;  the  ist  Texas,  186  out  of  226; 
and  so  it  goes,  more  or  less  severe,  all  down  the  ghastly  list,  proving 
that  there  were  others  deserving  the  name  of  butcher  more  than 
Grant. 

It  goes  without  saying  that  the  whole  of  the  defeated  army  was 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE 

not  demoralized,  that  the  thin  line  that  braved  the  Union  legions 
would  have  faced  the  music  to  the  end  of  the  ball  ;  but  what  suc 
cessful  resistance  could  that  ragged  line  have  made  against  the  25,000 
men  of  the  5th  and  6th  Corps,  backed  by  the  other  corps  of  the 
Union  army,  if  a  determined  advance  had  been  made  on  the  i8th? 
If  we  had  only  known  then  what  we  know  now  of  Lee's  peril !  He 
says  of  his  army,  "  Its  efficiency  is  greatly  paralyzed  by  the  numerous 
stragglers^  which  evil  has  increased  instead  of  diminished.  A  great 
many  men  belonging  to  this  army  never  entered  Maryland,  many 
returned  after  getting  there,  while  others  who  crossed  the  river  kept 
aloof.  On  the  morning  after  the  battle  of  the  lyth,  General  Evans, 
holding  the  front  position,  had  but  120  of  his  brigade  present,  and 
the  next  brigade,  Garnett's,  consisted  of  but  100  men.  The  bri 
gades  of  Lavvton  and  Armistead,  at  Shepherdstown  ford,  together 
contained  but  600  men.  This  is  a  woful  condition  of  affairs." 

No  one  could  with  truth  accuse  Lee  of  being  afraid  to  fight. 
From  June  26  to  September  19  he  had  lost  in  battle  over  50,000  of 
his  choicest  troops,  and  was  still  facing  McClellan  with  a  chip  on 
his  shoulder,  ready  for  a  fight. 

The  gist  of  the  matter  is  that  the  war  could  be  ended  only  by  the 
hardest  kind  of  fighting,  that  war  means  blood  and  death  and  deso 
lation,  and  that  when  the  big  captain  took  the  helm  he  sailed  over 
seas  of  blood  to  victory  and  peace.  There  was  no  other  way  out. 
The  historian  has  had  his  whack  at  McClellan  and  Antietam,  and 
the  reader  can  have  his  own  opinion  still ;  can  accept  the  writer's 
views  or  reject  them.  Readers  are  often  wrong,  especially  in 
matters  pertaining  to  McClellan 's  campaigns. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  85 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

ANTIETAM    TO    FREDERICKSBURG  :     SEPTEMBER     19    TO     DECEMBER     II, 

1862. 

AFTER  quietly  settling  down  in  camp,  many  of  the  soldiers  em 
braced  the  opportunity  of  visiting  the  battle-field  and  inspecting  the 
ground  over  which  they  had  fought.  All  over  the  field  the  bodies 
of  the  slain  were  scattered,  friend  and  foe;  the  location  of  the 
opposing  lines  and  the  places  of  the  many  fierce  charges  could 
readily  be  recognized  by  the  heaps  of  dead  from  either  side.  Along 
the  pike,  where  the  Confederates  made  a  desperate  stand,  their  killed 
lay  one  on  top  of  another,  while  in  the  woods  back  of  the  Dunker 
Church,  where  the  Union  soldiers  swept  in  a  grand  charge,  the 
ground  was  strewn  with  the  dead  Federals.  The  bodies  were 
swollen  to  an  unnatural  size  and  emitted  a  horrible  smell,  the 
flesh  turning  to  a  purplish  black,  some  of  them  being  so  badly 
decomposed  that  it  was  impossible  to  move  them,  and  they  were 
buried  where  they  fell.  Details  of  Union  pioneers  did  this  work, 
interring  the  Union  dead  first.  The  bodies  were  wrapped  in  their 
gory  blankets  and  deposited  in  long,  shallow  trenches,  sometimes  a 
dozen  in  one  hole. 

The  dead  were  found  in  all  imaginable  positions  and  often  hor 
ribly  mangled.  One  Confederate  had  been  killed  while  climbing 
over  a  fence,  his  body  remaining  in  such  a  position  that  it  might 
readily  have  been  taken  for  that  of  a  live  man  ;  another  was  struck 
while  tearing  a  cartridge,  the  charge  still  remaining  between  his 
stiffened  fingers ;  the  head  of  another  was  taken  off  by  a  cannon- 
ball ;  while  a  manly-looking  Union  soldier  apparently  had  no 
wound  anywhere,  but  closer  inspection  showed  that  a  ball  had 
entered  one  ear,  coming  out  of  the  other.  It  was  simply  horrible 
to  look  on  these  heaps  and  windrows  of  festering  bodies  that  once 
contained  the  spirits  of  the  best  soldiers  of  the  two  armies.  The 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE 

cornfield  near  which  the  88th  stood  was  a  veritable  field  of  blood, 
being  almost  covered  with  gore,  shreds  of  hair,  bones,  and  brains, 
while  broken  guns,  knapsacks,  haversacks,  canteens,  and  the  usual 
dtbris  of  a  battle-field  were  scattered  in  profusion  everywhere.  The 
horses  also  had  suffered,  their  bloated  carcasses  lying  all  over  the 
field,  but  especially  where  the  batteries  had  been  in  action  ;  but  the 
men  soon  sickened  at  these  repulsive  sights,  few  going  more  than 
once  over  the  field. 

In  the  mean  time  the  camp  in  the  woods  was  cleaned  ;  but  on 
September  29  the  regiment  removed  to  the  fields  near  by,  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  Potomac,  where  the  men  made  themselves 
comfortable.  An  excellent  spring  of  water  was  discovered  in  the 
sand  on  the  river-bank,  and  the  regular  rations  of  sow-belly,  salt 
horse,  musty  crackers  alive  with  worms,  and  occasionally  fresh  meat, 
rice,  and  beans,  with  the  usual  allowance  of  sugar  and  coffee  of  very 
good  quality,  were  issued.  The  men  were  badly  off  for  clothing  and 
shoes,  many  being  in  rags  and  almost  barefoot,  and  consequently 
suffering  much  these  cool  October  nights. 

On  October  18,  Lewis  Hill,  one  of  the  boy  soldiers  of  Company 
G,  died  in  camp.  He  had  been  sick  for  some  time,  and  when  he 
realized  that  his  end  was  near,  the  great  desire  of  his  boyish  heart 
was  to  see  his  mother  before  he  died.  Mrs.  Hill  was  sent  for  and 
came  with  all  possible  despatch,  but  the  means  of  conveyance  were 
limited,  and  even  a  mother's  piteous  appeals  to  see  her  dying  boy 
did  not  quicken  the  journey  much.  She  arrived  on  the  2oth,  but 
he  had  been  buried  the  day  before,  his  comrades,  with  the  drum- 
corps  of  the  26th  New  York,  following  his  body  to  the  grave,  and 
there  they  took  the  mother  to  show  her  where  her  boy  lay.  Her 
heart  was  nearly  broken  with  grief,  but  the  men  consoled  her  as  best 
they  could,  and,  exhuming  the  body  of  the  dead  soldier,  they  put  it 
in  a  rough  box  and  the  sorrowful  mother  took  her  precious  clay 
home  for  final  burial.  Mrs.  Hill  subsequently  returned  to  the  regi 
ment  and  faithfully  nursed  the  sick  and  wounded  men  until  the 
end  of  the  war. 

In  the  absence  of  Captain  Myers,  who  resigned  November  i,  Cap 
tain  Griffith  took  command  of  the  regiment,  all  the  field-officers 
being  absent  sick  or  wounded. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  87 

Late  in  October  overcoats  and  other  much-needed  clothing  were 
issued  to  the  shivering  soldiers,  who  were  poorly  clad  to  endure  the 
chilling  night  winds  of  the  season.  On  October  3  the  division  was 
reviewed  by  President  Lincoln,  attended  by  General  McClellan  and 
a  small  army  of  lesser  lights,  the  tall  form  of  the  President  being 
conspicuous  as  he  gracefully  rode  along  the  lines,  critically  inspect 
ing  every  soldier  in  the  command.  The  appearance  of  the  President 
was  the  signal  for  a  hearty  outburst  of  enthusiasm  from  the  thousands 
standing  at  arms,  and  amid  the  thunder  of  artillery  and  music  of  the 
bands  as  they  rang  out  "  Hail  to  the  Chief,"  the  inspection  and 
review  ended  and  were  pronounced  a  success. 

On  the  27th  of  October  the  expected  marching  orders  came,  and, 
striking  tents,  the  boys  bid  farewell  to  this  pleasant  section  of  "  My 
Maryland"  and  faced  Dixieward,  the  drum  corps  leading  off  with 
"Carry  me  back  to  Old  Virginny."  The  regiment  had  been 
strengthened  by  the  return  of  some  of  its  members  who  had  been 
sick  or  wounded,  and  reported  331  present;  but  of  these,  thirty-one 
were  sick  and  twenty-one  on  detailed  duty,  leaving  less  than  300  in 
line  for  action.  On  the  29th  the  brigade  passed  through  Cramp- 
ton's  Gap  and  Burkettsville,  encamping  in  the  woods  near  Berlin, 
where  it  remained  until  the  3oth,  when  Colonel  McLean  again  led 
the  regiment  into  Virginia,  passing  across  the  Potomac  and  through 
the  little  town  of  Lovettsville,  and  encamping  for  the  night  near  the 
hamlet  of  Milton.  Before  crossing  the  Potomac  all  the  sick  were 
put  aboard  the  cars  and  sent  to  Washington  hospitals,  in  order  that 
the  army  might  not  be  encumbered  when  the  time  of  battle  arrived. 

On  the  3ist  of  October,  Colonel  McLean  mustered  the  brigade, 
and  the  next  day  the  march  was  resumed  to  Waterford,  resting  there 
until  the  4th  of  November,  when  the  road  was  again  taken,  the  com 
mand  bivouacking  beyond  Broomfield.  On  the  5th  only  about  five 
miles  were  made,  but  on  the  7th  the  division  passed  through  Warren- 
ton,  "  tenting  on  the  old  camp  ground,"  the  identical  spot  encamped 
on  the  preceding  August. 

On  November  10  the  brigade  was  reviewed  by  General  McClellan, 
and  on  the  i2th  proceeded  to  Bealeton,  remaining  there  several  days. 
General  Gibbon  now  assumed  command  of  the  division  and  General 
Nelson  Taylor  of  the  brigade,  which  consisted  of  the  83d  and  97th 


88  HISTORY  OF   THE 

New  York,  i3th  Massachusetts,  nth  and  88th  Pennsylvania  Regi 
ments.  While  here  Colonel  McLean  was  compelled  to  resign  his 
commission  on  account  of  sickness,  the  command  of  the  regiment 
falling  again  upon  Captain  Griffith.  A  number  of  promotions  were 
now  made  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  field,  Major  Gile  succeeding  to 
the  colonelcy,  Captain  Louis  Wagner  to  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
Captain  Griffith  to  major  :  but  the  first  two  officers  being  absent, 
wounded,  Major  Griffith  was  in  command. 

On  November  18  and  19  the  brigade  picketed  the  Rappahannock, 
and  after  destroying  the  railroad  bridge,  passed  through  Morrisville, 
encamping  near  White  Oak  Church  on  the  23d.  .  The  weather  now 
set  in  cold  and  stormy,  making  it  extremely  unpleasant  for  the  sol 
diers,  who  were  greatly  exposed,  and  presaging  evil  to  the  further 
prosecution  of  the  campaign,  which  rumor  said  was  to  be  vigorously 
continued  until  the  Confederate  army  was  finally  defeated. 

On  November  9,  George  W.  Jacoby  was  detailed  temporarily  to 
act  as  attendant  at  the  Warrenton  Hospital,  and  on  November  12, 
Surgeon  Charles  J.  Nordquist  was  appointed  chief  medical  officer  of 
the  division,  and  Reuben  Sanders,  John  Nugent,  and  John  Shonour 
were  detailed  on  the  24th  as  division  teamsters. 

On  November  24,  Surgeon  B.  F.  Hough,  of  the  gyth  New  York, 
was  appointed  chief  medical  officer  of  the  brigade.  On  December 
i,  Lieutenant  Schell  was  detailed  to  proceed  to  Convalescent  Camp 
and  bring  all  convalescents,  stragglers,  and  recruits  to  the  regiment. 
On  December  5,  Sergeant  Beath  was  detached  for  temporary  duty 
in  the  quartermaster's  office,  and  on  the  yth,  John  Thomas,  Albert 
Wise,  and  Henry  Haywood  were  also  temporarily  detailed  for  duty 
at  brigade  head-quarters. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  89 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

FREDERICKSBURG    TO    CHANCELLORSVILLE :    DECEMBER    12,    1862,  TO 
MAY    7,    1863. 

THE  expected  marching  orders  were  issued  on  December  7,  on 
which  day  the  brigade  broke  camp  and  marched  a  mile  or  two  to 
wards  Fredericksburg ;  but  the  movement  was  countermanded  until 
the  i  ith,  when  the  brigade  went  to  the  river-bank,  but  again  returned 
to  camp.  On  the  i2th  the  great  movement  was  begun  in  earnest, 
the  division  marching  to  the  river  with  flying  colors,  hopeful  of  suc 
cess  in  the  forthcoming  battle.  The  Union  artillery  in  position  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  river  maintained  a  heavy  fire  against  the  oppo 
site  shore  during  the  attempt  of  the  pioneers  to  lay  the  pontoons,  but 
the  enemy's  sharp-shooters  posted  in  the  houses  and  cellars  of  the 
town  effectually  prevented  the  placing  of  the  pontoons,  until  volun 
teers,  rowing  across  the  river,  drove  the  Confederates  off,  when  the 
bridge  was  finished.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henry  Baxter,  of  the  7th 
Michigan,  was  the  leader  of  the  volunteers  who  poled  across  the 
river,  and  to  his  conspicuous  bravery  on  this  occasion  Baxter's  bri 
gade  probably  owes  the  commander  who  afterwards  so  creditably  led 
it  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

At  Franklin's  crossing,  below  the  city,  but  slight  resistance  was 
encountered,  the  hills  being  some  distance  from  the  river  and  offer 
ing  no  very  desirable  positions  for  the  Confederate  cannon  to  suc 
cessfully  resist  the  laying  of  the  bridges.  The  crossing  was  effected 
during  the  afternoon  of  December  12,  after  which,  massing  on  the 
plain,  the  soldiers  rested  for  the  night;  but  the  minds  of  the  men 
were  occupied  with  anxious  thoughts  of  the  coming  contest  with  the 
concealed  forces  in  the  woods  covering  the  heights  in  front.  The 
chances  of  a  successful  result  were  earnestly  discussed,  but  no  com 
forting  conclusion  was  reached  when  the  difficulties  of  a  direct  attack 
against  the  strong  position  held  by  the  enemy  were  considered, 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE 

though  every  soldier  resolved  to  do  his  whole  duty  to  his  flag  and 
country.  The  weather  had  been  wintry  and  the  night  was  cold  and 
cheerless;  a  bleak  wind  sweeping  over  the  plain  chilled  the  men  to 
the  bone,  no  fires  being  allowed  for  fear  of  drawing  a  hotter  fire 
from  the  cannon  of  the  inhospitable  Southerners  on  the  hills,  and 
all  that  long,  weary  winter  night,  to  many  the  last  of  this  life,  the 
men  shivered  and  suffered  in  the  darkness. 

The  morning  of  December  13  dawned  quietly  upon  the  opposing 
armies  crouching  like  wild  beasts  ready  to  spring  upon  one  another, 
but  the  bank  of  fog  which  hung  over  the  scene  like  a  cloud  rendered 
any  movement  uncertain,  and  nothing  could  be  done  until  this  cur 
tain  was  raised  to  reveal  the  stage  on  which  this  horrible  drama  of 
war  was  to  be  performed.  Finally  the  fog  lifted  and  the  advance 
began  about  9.30  A.M.,  the  i3th  Massachusetts  skirmishers  in  the 
van  and  popping  away  briskly  at  the  Confederate  skirmishers, 
driving  them  back  without  ceremony  all  along  the  front.  Taylor's 
brigade  followed  closely,  supported  by  Lyle,  with  Root  in  reserve, 
these  brigades  composing  Gibbon's  division.  The  Union  cannon 
in  the  rear  opening  a  furious  fire,  the  Confederate  artillery  quickly 
returned  the  compliment,  giving  the  division  the  benefit  of  their 
experience  as  artillerists,  and,  judging  from  the  accuracy  of  their  aim, 
they  were  veterans  at  the  business.  The  Confederate  advance  was 
slowly  forced  back  over  the  stage  road,  but  when  near  the  railroad  it 
halted  and  made  a  determined  resistance,  having  batteries  in  position 
supported  by  infantry,  whose  fire  covered  every  foot  of  ground  over 
which  Gibbon's  division  was  advancing.  Here  Taylor  halted,  send 
ing  the  88th  forward  to  a  rise  of  ground  to  silence  a  battery  which 
was  particularly  annoying  to  the  division.  Upon  reaching  the 
position  the  battalion  opened  a  galling  fusillade  on  the  butternut 
gunners,  who  replied  with  canister,  knocking  over  many  of  the  men 
and  sweeping  part  of  the  regiment  back  in  some  confusion  to  a 
ditch,  where  the  men  were  rallied  by  the  personal  example  of  Major 
Griffith,  Captains  Harkisheimer  and  Shalters,  Adjutant  Foust,  Lieu 
tenants  Napier,  Schell,  Rhoads,  and  other  officers  of  the  regiment. 

About  one  o'clock  a  spirited  charge  was  made  upon  the  works 
along  the  railroad,  some  of  the  regiments,  especially  the  loyth 
Pennsylvania  and  i6th  Maine,  capturing  many  Johnnies;  but  the 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  91 

Confederate  line  was  too  strong  for  Gibbon  to  make  any  impression 
on,  and  the  entire  line  was  forced  back  over  the  railroad,  after  sus 
taining  much  loss,  the  regiment  losing  Acting  Adjutant  Kartscher 
and  Lieutenant  Fulton  killed,  Captain  Harkisheimer  badly  injured 
in  the  groin  (he  had  his  haversack  cut  in  two  and  the  hilt  of  his 
sword  hit  by  bullets),  Captain  Shalters  and  Lieutenant  Napier 
wounded,  and  many  non  commissioned  officers  and  privates  killed 
and  wounded.  The  88th,  together  with  the  gyth  New  York,  held 
the  advance  after  most  of  the  other  regiments  had  fallen  back  and 
until  ordered  to  take  a  position  near  the  stage  road  in  the  rear. 
Here  the  men  lay  in  the  freezing  mud  all  that  dismal  night,  dread 
ing  the  morning,  while  the  ambulance  corps  was  busy  bringing  the 
helpless  wounded  from  the  front  and  taking  them  to  the  hospitals  in 
the  rear. 

The  division  remained  here  during  the  i4th  (Sunday),  and  early 
Monday  morning  was  called  to  arms,  standing  in  this  expectant 
position  all  day.  On  Monday  night  the  regiment  was  sent  on  the 
skirmish  line,  and  remained  among  the  dead  men  in  that  gruesome 
place  until  three  o'clock  Tuesday  morning,  when,  the  army  having 
recrossed  the  river,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  fall  back  as  quickly  as 
possible.  The  boys,  understanding  the  danger  of  the  situation,  lost 
no  time  in  reaching  the  river,  and  arrived  none  too  soon,  as  the 
pontoons  were  being  taken  up,  the  engineers  supposing  that  all  the 
troops  were  across.  They  had  to  run  their  boats  back  to  take  the 
men  over. 

So  ended  another  disastrous  battle,  a  sad  chapter  in  the  history 
of  the  regiment  and  a  day  that  carried  great  sorrow  to  many  loved 
ones  whose  kinsfolk  were  killed  in  this  contest.  Among  those  killed 
in  the  regiment  were  Lieutenants  Kartscher  and  Fulton,  who  had 
not  yet  received  their  commissions,  these  documents  arriving  after 
the  battle  to  find  them  beyond  the  influence  of  earthly  honors. 
Private  Nathan  White,  of  Company  I,  was  one  of  the  bravest 
soldiers  in  the  regiment ;  as  the  command  was  being  withdrawn 
the  enemy  opened  fire  with  canister,  when  White,  turning  towards 
their  guns,  facetiously  called  to  them  to  "  cease  firing  and  come  to  a 
shoulder;"  but  at  this  moment  a  shot  entered  his  head  and  he  fell 
dead  without  a  groan. 


92  HISTORY  OF   THE 

The  following  report  was  made  by  Major  Griffith : 

HEAD-QUARTERS  88tH  REGT.  PA.  VOLS. 

Dec.  18,  1862. 
COL.  S.  H.  LEONARD,  Command'g  3d  Brigade: 

In  accordance  with  orders,  I  herewith  send  a  statement  of  the  part  taken  by  my 
command  in  the  recent  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Va. 

Crossed  the  Rappahannock  River  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  being  in  position 
near  the  Bowling  Green  road,  I3th  Mass,  being  in  the  road  as  skirmishers;  re 
mained  in  the  position  until  9.30  A.M.  of  the  I3th.  The  brigade  was  advanced 
into  the  field  fronting  the  enemy,  driving  in  their  pickets  and  supporting  our  skir 
mishers.  The  men  were  ordered  to  lie  down  in  the  face  of  a  heavy  artillery  fire. 
General  Taylor  soon  ordered  an  advance  on  the  rebel  battery;  amid  a  heavy 
shower  of  grape  and  canister  we  reached  the  brow  of  the  hill ;  the  centre  of  the 
right  being  swept  off,  the  men  commenced  falling  back,  but  the  officers  succeeded 
in  rallying  them  in  a  trench,  when  we  again  took  position  on  right  of  brigade, 
lying  down.  At  two  P.M.  another  charge  was  made,  and  silenced  a  rebel  battery 
that  was  shelling  us  at  railroad  crossing. 

The  2d  Brigade  ordered  up  to  our  support,  I  took  position  on  their  right.  I 
retired  with  the  1st  Brigade,  marching  out  in  quick  time  and  in  good  order,  having 
lost  seven  killed,  thirty-four  wounded,  and  one  missing  out  of  a  total  of  only  183 
officers  and  men  when  we  advanced,  and  being  under  fire  five  hours. 

Having  no  orders  to  fall  back  with  our  brigade,  the  3d,  I  sustained  my  position 
on  the  right  of  the  line,  using  all  my  ammunition,  sixty  rounds  per  man,  and  still 
retained  the  position,  expecting  to  obtain  support. 

The  officers  and  men  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and  would  particularly  men 
tion  my  Adjt.  B.  F.  Foust  and  Lieut.  Geo.  B.  Rhoads,  command'g  Co,  B,  whose 
good  conduct  greatly  encouraged  the  men.  Of  the  non-com,  officers,  Sergts.  Geo. 
H.  Fulton,  Wm.  H.  Forbes,  and  Jacob  Ninesteel  were  conspicuous  and  will  be 
recommended  for  promotion. 

D.  A.  GRIFFITH, 

Maj.  comdg.  88  Pa.  Vols. 

On  December  16,  1862,  the  regiment  returned  to  the  old  camp, 
marching  through  the  mire  in  a  heavy  rain,  weary,  dispirited,  and 
disappointed,  though  determined  to  make  the  best  of  the  cheerless 
situation  ;  but  every  soldier  realized  that  the  prospect  was  very 
gloomy.  On  the  ipth  the  camp  was  removed  to  about  four  miles 
from  Potomac  Creek,  and  the  men  soon  erected  comfortable  shelters 
from  the  nipping  winter  weather. 

New  Year's  Day,  1863,  dawned  clear  and  crisp,  finding  the  regi 
ment  encamped  near  Fletcher's  Chapel,  doing  picket  and  camp  duty 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  93 

and  exercising  at  battalion  drill  in  the  mud  as  often  as  the  powers 
that  be  thought  expedient.  On  January  12,  General  John  C.  Robin 
son,  having  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  division,  reviewed 
the  brigade,  the  regiment  being  commanded  by  Captain  J.  Parker 
Martin. 

On  January  12,  Corporal  Charles  M.  Clark  was  detached  for  spe 
cial  duty  in  the  quartermaster's  department;  and  on  the  i5th  an 
additional  detail,  consisting  of  Matthias  Pinyard,  Peter  Read,  J.  L. 
Wentzel,  Alfred  Dautrich,  Jacob  Fabian,  and  Harrison  Eddinger, 
was  made  for  the  same  duty. 

Captain  Wagner  was  now  in  command  of  the  battalion,  and  in 
pursuance  of  orders,  on  January  18  he  sent  Dr.  Shoemaker,  A.  P. 
Carter,  and  Albert  Booz  to  Aquia  Creek  with  the  sick  and  disabled 
men  of  the  command.  On  the  ipth  of  January,  Peter  Read  re 
turned  to  the  regiment  from  detached  duty,  and  Levi  Miller  was 
detailed  as  teamster  in  the  division  ammunition  train,  until  further 
orders. 

As  a  sample  of  camp  life  the  following  order  is  given  : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  20  Div.  IST  A.  C.,  Jany.  24,  1863. 

GENERAL  ORDER  No.  n. 

The  regular  routine  of  duties  will  at  once  be  returned  to.  The  signals  for  ser 
vice  will,  until  further  orders,  be  sounded  as  follows  : 

,  Reveille  at  daylight.  Police  call  immediately  after  reveille.  Breakfast  at  7 
A.M.  Surgeon's  call  at  7.30  A.M.  Guard  mounting  at  8  A.M.  Drill  (company  or 
skirmish)  at  9  A.M.  Recall  at  10.30  A.M.  Dinner  at  12  M.  Drill  (battalion  or 
brigade)  at  I  30  P.M.  Recall  at  3  P.M.  First  call  for  parade  half-hour  before 
sunset.  Tattoo  at  8  P.M.  Taps  at  8.20  P.M. 

There  will  be  dress  parade  every  evening,  regimental  inspection  every  Sunday 
morning,  and  brigade  inspection  every  Thursday  morning  at  8  o'clock. 

By  order 
GENL  ROBINSON,  Commanding. 

Up  to  this  date  the  weather  had  been  moderate, — not  much  snow 
and  very  little  ice,  but  plenty  of  rain,  making  it  soft  and  muddy 
underfoot.  From  the  i5th  to  the  2oth  of  January  it  was  clear, 
with  the  wind  just  keen  enough  to  remind  one  that  it  was  winter 
time. 

General  Burnside  was  eagerly  looking  for  an  opportunity  to  deal 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  enemy  a  crushing  blow  and  so  restore  the  confidence  of  the 
army,  which  had  been  badly  shaken  by  the  unfortunate  and  de 
plorable  battle  at  Fredericksburg.  He  had  intended  a  movement 
on  the  lower  Rappahannock  about  the  last  of  December,  but  the 
President  had  peremptorily  forbidden  it,  so  he  conceived  a  plan  to 
cross  the  upper  Rappahannock  and  force  Lee  to  battle  away  from  his 
formidable  intrenchments.  This  movement,  subsequently  termed 
the  mud  march,  was  begun  on  the  ipth  of  January,  the  weather 
being  favorable  to  military  movements,  and  everything  indicated  a 
successful  campaign. 

On  the  2oth  the  regiment  struck  tents  and  marched  several  miles 
towards  the  Rappahannock,  then  halted  and  bivouacked  for  the 
night,  resuming  the  march  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
2ist;  but  the  weather  now  changed,  a  drenching  cold  rain  falling 
in  torrents,  turning  the  ground  first  to  the  consistency  of  putty  and 
finally  to  a  sea  of  liquid  mud.  The  troops  struggled  on  in  the 
sticky  stuff;  but  soon  the  wagons  were  stalled,  then  the  artillery 
stuck,  and  finally  the  men  got  mired,  until  it  was  not  a  question  of 
getting  to  the  enemy,  but  of  returning  to  camp  as  speedily  as  pos 
sible.  The  rain  continued  all  day  and  night,  and  when  the  order  to 
countermarch  was  given  the  task  of  getting  out  of  the  mud  was 
attended  with  almost  insuperable  difficulties.  All  the  pontoons  and 
artillery — in  fact,  every  wheel — had  to  be  bodily  pulled  from  this 
slough  of  despond  by  the  bedraggled  soldiers,  and  the  roads  and 
fields  were  strewn  with  dead  animals  and  wrecked  wagons,  frequently 
buried  in  the  mire  almost  out  of  sight. 

When  the  regiment  reached  the  vicinity  of  Falmouth,  the  situa 
tion,  at  best,  was  discouraging;  the  ground,  or  what  had  been  firm 
ground,  was  now  a  sea  of  mud,  and  at  every  step  the  weary  men  sank 
to  their  ankles  in  the  slime.  No  firewood  ;  an  abundance  of  water 
everywhere,  but  none  fit  to  use  for  coffee ;  no  dry  ground  on  which 
to  camp;  nothing  but  mud,  mud  on  every  hand.  The  men  were 
in  a  pitiable  plight,  the  attendant  exposure  filling  the  graves  and 
hospitals  more  than  would  a  battle.  However,  old  soldiers  can  gen 
erally  make  themselves  comfortable  somehow  ;  so,  after  the  arms 
were  stacked  in  the  Virginia  mud,  the  men  scattered  in  every  direc 
tion  searching  for  wood,  water,  pine  boughs  for  bedding,  etc.,  and 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  95 

some  of  them  finding  a  wagon-train,  bribed  the  drivers  for  a  night's 
lodging  in  the  wagons. 

During  the  night  the  wind  shifted  to  the  north,  bringing  a 
piercing  cold  blast  which  froze  a  stiff  crust  on  top  of  the  mud  and 
also  the  dirt  to  the  uniforms  of  the  soldiers,  so  that  in  the  morning 
they  resembled  a  crowd  of  demoralized  and  forsaken  graybacks 
rather  than  a  brigade  of  honest  Yanks ;  but  the  regiment  eventually 
encamped  near  Fletcher's  Chapel,  and  on  the  24th  the  men  were 
given  some  consolation  by  Paymaster  Brua,  in  the  shape  of  four 
months'  pay. 

The  army  now  settled  down  for  a  rest  and  waited  for  something 
to  turn  up.  Around  head-quarters  affairs  were  in  a  deplorable  con 
dition,  General  Burnside  attributing,  in  a  measure,  the  failure  of  his 
movements  to  the  lack  of  co-operation  and  support  on  the  part  of 
some  of  his  generals,  who  did  not  heartily  concur  in  his  plans  of 
attacking  the  enemy,  and  he  requested  the  dismissal  of  Generals 
Hooker,  Brooks,  Cochrane,  and  Newton,  and  that  Generals  Frank 
lin,  Ferrero,  W.  F.  Smith,  Sturgis,  and  others  who  had  freely  ex 
pressed  themselves  against  his  strategy  be  transferred  to  some  other 
army.  General  Burnside  did  not  charge  that  these  subordinates  had 
been  derelict  in  the  discharge  of  any  duty,  but  that  they  simply 
lacked  confidence  in  him  as  the  chief  of  the  army.  The  President, 
however,  refused  to  relieve  these  officers,  consequently  General  Burn- 
side  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted,  and  General 
Hooker  appointed  his  successor.  It  may  be  said  here  that  the  men 
had  a  high  regard  for  Burnside,  none  doubting  but  that  he  had  done 
his  best  ;  but  the  feeling  was  almost  universal  that  he  was  not  com 
petent  to  command  so  large  a  body  of  troops  as  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

"  Fighting  Joe"  was  favorably  known,  and  at  once  proceeded  to 
reorganize  and  discipline  the  entire  army.  Desertions  were  checked 
by  issuing  furloughs,  the  commissary  was  improved  and  better  rations 
issued,  each  corps  was  designated  by  a  peculiar  badge,  and  many  minor 
but  important  changes  effected.  So  the  remaining  days  of  January 
and  all  of  February  and  March  passed,  the  army  growing  stronger 
and  better  every  day ;  the  drills  and  reviews  showed  a  marked  im 
provement  in  the  bearing  and  appearance  of  the  troops,  and  the 


96  HISTORY  OF   THE 

men  were  quick  to  note  the  excellent  spirit  that  had  taken  the  place 
of  the  distrust  and  fear  of  the  gloomiest  period  of  the  war. 

General  Hooker  reviewed  Robinson's  division  on  the  2d  of  April, 
and  on  the  9th  the  ist  Corps  passed  in  review  before  the  President. 
In  the  mean  time  a  number  of  changes  had  taken  place  in  the  regi 
ment,  which  will  be  noted  here. 

About  February  i,  Captain  Wagner  was  ordered  to  Georgetown 
for  treatment  of  his  wound,  and  Adjutant  Foust,  after  being  com 
missioned  major,  took  command  of  the  regiment.  On  February  3, 
Dr.  John  W.  Rawlins  was  appointed  chief  surgeon,  and  on  the  nth 
the  morning  report  states  that  "  Sergeant  G.  S.  Nichols,  having  re 
ceived  commission  as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  G,  returned  said 
commission,  refusing  to  recognize  the  promotion  over  the  first  ser 
geant,  he  being  the  second  sergeant."  On  the  same  day  Henry 
Reiff  and  William  Ramich  were  detailed  for  duty  in  the  quarter 
master's  department.  Sergeant-Major  Detre  was  commissioned  ad 
jutant,  to  date  from  December  4,  1862,  an  admirable  selection, 
as  he  proved  a  most  competent  officer.  Several  sergeants  also 
received  commissions  as  lieutenants  at  the  same  time  (February  24), 
among  them  being  Sergeants  Kram,  Beath,  Middleton,  Houder,  and 
Nunneville.  On  February  26,  Surgeon  Hayes  was  assigned  to  the 
division  hospital  and  Dr.  Shoemaker  returned  to  the  regiment.  Neal 
Devine  was  detailed  for  duty  in  the  bakery  on  March  4,  1863,  and 
Daniel  H.  Clouser  was  ordered  on  extra  duty  with  Brigade  Quarter 
master  Jones.  Dr.  Rawlins  was  assigned  to  duty  as  acting  chief 
medical  officer  of  the  brigade  on  March  10,  and  on  the  same  day 
Ro*bert  Herron  and  Henry  Raider  returned  from  the  hospital. 

By  a  circular  order  from  head-quarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
dated  March  21,  1863,  corps  badges  were  given  to  each  corps  as 
follows  :  ist  Corps  a  sphere  ;  2d  Corps  a  trefoil ;  3d  Corps  a  lozenge  ; 
5th  Corps  a  Maltese  cross  ;  6th  Corps  a  cross  ;  nth  Corps  a  crescent ; 
1 2th  Corps  a  star. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Louis  Wagner  returned  on  March  19  and  took 
command,  remaining  until  May  14,  when  he  was  granted  twenty 
days'  leave  of  absence  on  account  of  disability.  The  consolidated 
morning  report  for  April  i,  1863,  shows  the  strength  of  the  regi 
ment,  as  follows: 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  97 

Commissioned  officers  present 27 

Non-commissioned  officers  present 74 

Musicians  present 13 

Privates  present 141 

255 

On  detailed  duty , 23 

Sick 19 

In  arrest 8 

Total 305 

Total  present  and  absent 472 

On  this  date  Rest  Parker  was  detailed  as  brigade  teamster :  it  should 
be  understood  that  all  details  for  this  kind  of  duty  were  for  a  short 
time  only. 

The  commanding  general  having  matured  his  plans  for  a  grand 
movement  against  the  Southern  army,  orders  were  issued  to  that 
effect,  and  the  encampment  broke  up  on  April  28,  the  line  of  march 
being  headed  for  the  river  below  Fredericksburg.  Upon  reaching 
the  vicinity  of  the  crossing,  on  December  12,  the  column  halted, 
and,  throwing  pontoons  across,  some  of  the  troops  marched  over  to 
the  south  bank,  being  received  by  a  heavy  artillery  fire  from  the 
rebels,  who  as  yet  were  in  ignorance  as  to  where  Hooker  intended  to 
assault  their  lines. 

The  regiment,  with  the  brigade,  manoeuvred  in  this  vicinity  during 
the  28th,  29th,  and  3oth,  being  mustered  near  the  river  on  the  3oth. 
Meanwhile,  the  rebs  pitched  their  shell  over  in  a  most  unfriendly 
manner  and  much  to  the  discomfort  of  the  men,  whose  time  was 
fully  occupied  in  answering  to  their  names  at  the  muster  and  dodging 
cannon-balls  when  they  came  too  near.  On  the  ist  of  May  the 
weather  changed  for  the  better,  the  sun  shining  bright  and  warm. 

The  strategy  of  the  Union  commander  began  now  to  fully  develop. 
The  ist  Corps  was  ordered  up  the  river,  where  most  of  the  army  had 
already  gone,  and  engaged  the  enemy  back  of  Fredericksburg.  The 
soldiers  understood  that  Lee  was  now  compelled  to  leave  his  intrench- 
ments  and  meet  our  army  on  equal  terms,  and  the  rank  and  file,  always 
quick  to  detect  an  advantageous  movement,  were  greatly  elated  at 
the  turn  affairs  had  taken,  many  believing  that  Lee  had  at  last  met 
his  match  and  would  suffer  a  defeat  in  the  coming  battle.  Every- 

7 


98  HISTORY  OF   THE 

thing  appeared  to  be  going  along  smoothly,  and  the  troops  were 
greatly  inspirited,  which  feeling  was  intensified  by  a  congratulatory 
order  from  General  Hooker  announcing  that  "The  enemy  must 
either  ingloriously  fly  or  come  out  from  behind  his  defences  and  give 
us  battle  on  our  own  ground,  where  certain  destruction  awaits  him," 
and  much  more  of  the  same  sort ;  indeed,  it  has  been  asserted  that 
the  commanding  general  boasted  that  the  "  Almighty  could  not  pre 
vent  him  from  obtaining  a  victory ;"  but  these  events  indicate  the 
truth  of  the  proverb  that  "Man  proposes,  but  God  disposes,"  as 
also  the  fitness  of  a  saying  then  much  used,  "Don't  shout  till  you 
get  out  of  the  woods." 

Lee,  however,  showed  no  disposition  to  run  away ;  on  the  con 
trary,  as  soon  as  he  understood  Hooker's  purpose,  he  put  the  bulk 
of  his  army  in  motion  to  attack  the  Union  forces  entangled  in  the 
dense  woods  above  Fredericksburg  known  as  the  Wilderness,  and  to 
.that  point  our  march  was  directed,  reaching  Banks's  Ford  on  the 
ist  of  May  and  bivouacking  there  all  night.  Over  the  river  the 
deep  booming  of  cannon  came  rumbling  through  the  trees,  tell 
ing  of  a  desperate  struggle  in  the  thicket  in  that  direction.  The 
division  marched  the  following  day  (Saturday,  May  2)  to  United 
States  Ford,  and,  crossing  the  Rappahannock,  moved  towards  Chan- 
cellorsville,  the  sound  of  battle  becoming  more  distinct  as  the  head 
of  the  column  thridded  the  gloomy  depths  of  the  dark  woods.  Here 
the  column  halted  for  a  short  time  ;  but  orders  having  been  received 
to  hurry  to  the  front,  the  march  was  again  resumed. 

As  the  column  approached  the  field,  news  of  the  rout  of  the  nth 
Corps  was  received,  and  soon  many  of  the  stragglers  were  met,  badly 
demoralized,  and  swiftly  putting  a  safe  distance  between  their  own 
worthless  bodies  and  the  danger  of  the  battle-field.  During  a  fight 
the  rear  of  an  army  is  always  encumbered  by  these  wrecks  of  sol 
diers,  some  worthy  ones  wounded  or  sick,  but  many  genuine  skulkers 
who  on  some  excuse  have  dropped  out,  and  who  glibly  tell  the  sor 
rowful  story  of  how  "their  regiment  has  all  been  cut  up,"  as  they 
quickly  pike  to  the  rear. 

Arriving  in  proxknity  to  the  field,  the  division  took  position  and 
intrenched,  while  through  the  woods  in  front  the  sullen  rumble  and 
roar  of  the  cannon  intermingled  with  the  intermittent  reports  of 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  99 

musketry  ;  now  in  quick  single  shots,  then  gaining  power  and  volume 
until  it  became  a  long,  steady  roll ;  this  was  the  music,  the  crescendo 
and  diminuendo,  of  the  battle-field,  telling  unmistakably  that  the  fight 
was  still  on.  Occasionally  the  bright  flash  of  a  bursting  shell  was 
seen,  but  too  far  off  for  harm ;  and  through  the  greater  part  of 
the  night,  in  fitful  swells,  this  infernal  chorus  was  kept  up,  the  dis 
tant  huzzas  of  the  loyal  troops  sometimes  being  heard  above  the 
loud  roar  of  cannon  and  the  sharp  crackle  of  musketry.  This 
night  was  an  anxious  and  almost  sleepless  one  to  the  men  of  the 
ist  Corps,  lying  on  the  fringe  of  the  battle-field,  and  when  Sunday 
morning  came  they  expected  to  be  ordered  to  succor  their  hard- 
pressed  comrades  of  the  other  corps  who  had  fought  so  well  in  the 
dense  woods  in  front. 

The  contest  was  renewed  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  a  mile 
or  more  distant,  and  continued  with  unabated  fury  until  near  noon, 
when  the  sound  of  the  conflict  came  nearer,  the  piercing  "  Ki-yi" 
of  the  rebel  yell  being  often  distinguished  above  the  cheers  of  the 
Union  soldiery  as  either  side  gained  some  advantage  by  a  charge  or 
countercharge.  Long  lines  of  wounded  streamed  down  towards  the 
ford, — true  soldiers  with  powder-stained  faces,  shattered  limbs,  and 
bleeding  bodies,  bearing  the  badges  of  the  2d,  3d,  nth,  and  i2th 
Corps.  The  brigade  threw  out  skirmishers  in  the  woods  in  front 
and  flank,  the  crack  of  the  videttes'  rifles  giving  warning  that  the 
time  for  action  might  come  at  any  moment.  While  waiting  here 
for  orders,  a  request  came  from  the  brigade  general  for  a  detail  of 
picked  men  to  go  carefully  between  the  lines  and  recover  some  in 
trenching  tools  that  had  been  abandoned  a  day  or  two  before.  The 
choice  fell  upon  Lieutenant  S.  H.  Martin,  who,  with  twenty  selected 
men,  went  outside  of  the  lines,  though  in  great  danger,  found  the 
tools,  and  brought  them  in  without  losing  a  man.  These  same 
tools  subsequently  proved  of  great  benefit,  being  used  for  throwing 
up  works  to  protect  the  rear  of  our  army  while  crossing  the  river  in 
retreat. 

The  300  men  with  the  regiment,  under  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Wagner,  anxiously  waited  all  day,  momentarily  expecting 
to  be  ordered  to  the  front,  but  no  orders  came.  All  day  long  the 
tumult  of  battle  rattled  and  thundered  a  short  distance  in  front,  but 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE 

at  night  the  brigade  still  remained  in  the  breastworks,  staying  here 
during  the  4th  and  5th,  soaked  by  the  rain  and  befouled  by  the 
mud  ;  but  on  the  6th  the  position  was  abandoned,  the  Rappahannock 
crossed,  and  tents  pitched  near  Falmouth. 

And  so  this  brilliantly-planned  but  badly-executed  campaign  ended 
in  a  very  discouraging  manner ;  and  while  the  men  felt  that  somehow 
they  did  not  have  a  fair  chance,  that  the  movement  ought  to  have 
been  successful,  yet  it  was  noticeable  that  there  was  not  the  same 
bitter  feeling  manifested  as  followed  the  Fredericksburg  slaughter. 
Though  Hooker  had  not  won  a  victory,  he  would  not  own  a  defeat, 
for  a  "congratulatory"  order  was  issued  to  his  army,  praising  it  for 
what  had  been  accomplished,  affirming  a  renewal  of  confidence  in 
its  prowess,  appealing  to  its  pride,  and  stating  that  it  had  inflicted 
heavier  blows  than  it  had  received,  having  placed  18,000  of  the 
enemy's  troops  hors  de  combat,  and  much  more  of  the  same  kind  ; 
but  to  the  intelligent  reader,  in  the  light  of  subsequent  events,  all 
this  savors  very  much  of  braggadocio. 

General  Lee  likewise  issued  an  order  to  his  army,  but  in  a  some 
what  different  spirit,  and  "recommended  that  the  troops  unite  on 
Sunday  next  in  ascribing  unto  the  Lord  of  hosts  the  glory  due  unto 
His  name." 

In  reviewing  this  movement,  from  which  so  much  was  reasonably 
expected,  it  is  difficult  to  assign  a  reason  for  its  failure,  unless  it  was 
a  rebuke  from  the  Almighty  to  a  commander  who  so  contemptuously 
despised  His  power  in  so  great  a  matter.  It  was  the  general  opinion 
among  the  soldiers  that  this  humiliating  disaster  was  due  to  some 
cause  other  than  even  the  rout  of  the  nth  Corps,  which  command 
was  made  the  scapegoat  for  the  shortcomings  of  the  whole  army. 
In  the  "  History  of  the  n8th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers"  is  given  an 
insight  concerning  one  of  the  potent  factors  contributing  to  the 
loss  of  this  battle : 

A  large  tent  had  been  pitched  for  the  use  of  army  head-quarters.  The  flaps 
open,  its  occupants  and  their  doings  were  plainly  in  view.  General  Hooker, 
in  reclining  posture,  still  suffering  from  the  blow  he  received  from  a  falling  pillar 
of  the  Chancellorsville  house,  was  surrounded  by  a  number  of  officers.  The 
libations  were  quite  imposing,  and  the  beverage  luxuriant  and  expensive.  The 
light  wines  of  France  were  apparently  the  exclusive  tipple.  The  many  abandoned 


DAVID   K.  HAKT/EL 
Company  C. 


COKPOKAI.  HKNKY  TOWN-SEND. 
Company  C. 


LlKI'TKNANT    JOHN    WlTMOYEU. 

Company  H. 


LIEUTENANT  JAMES  MCCHALIKER. 
Company  H. 


SEKGKANT  WILLIAM  CuAMr.ERt 

Company  D. 
( Killed  at  FrederiokslHtffj.  L   '. 


COMPANIES    C,    D,   AND    H. 


EIGHTY- EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  101 

bottles,  the  broken  and  empty  baskets,  the  frequent  popping  of  champagne  corks, 
indicated  a  free  and  liberal  allowance  of  this  intoxicant.  An  impertinent  fellow, 
observing  General  Hooker  as  the  only  one  of  the  party  not  upon  his  feet,  inquired 
the  cause,  and  a  reply  was  made  by  an  officer  to  the  effect  that  he  had  been  shot. 
"  Shot  in  the  neck,"  quickly  responded  the  inquirer.  The  smile  with  which  his 
response  was  received  assured  him  that  he  had  not  shot  far  from  the  mark. 

And  Chancellorsville  was  not  the  only  battle  that  General  John 
Barleycorn  lost  to  the  Union  cause,  though  it  has  been  strenuously  de 
nied  that  the  commanding  general  was  incapacitated  from  this  cause. 

Upon  returning  from  this  campaign  the  brigade  lost  the  services 
of  the  26th  New  York  Regiment ;  their  two  years'  enlistment  having 
expired,  the  men  of  this  command  bid  their  comrades  good-by  and 
departed  for  home.  The  26th  was  a  good  regiment,  composed  of 
hard  fighters  who  reflected  great  credit  on  their  State. 


102  HISTORY  OF  7 HE 


CHAPTER    XV. 

LEADING  TO  GETTYSBURG:  MAY  S  TO  JUNE  30,  1863. 

ON  May  7,  1863,  the  regiment  marched  in  a  heavy  rain  to  White 
Oak  Church,  encamping  in  the  wet  and  mud,  but  moved  camp  to 
another  place  near  by  on  the  nth,  and  when  nicely  fixed  received 
orders  to  pull  up  stakes  and  change  to  a  more  desirable  location. 
The  affairs  of  the  country  and  the  situation  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  at  this  period  were  probably  the  darkest  in  the  history  of 
the  war.  Defeated,  baffled,  and  thwarted  time  and  again,  it  did 
sometimes  appear  that  the  Southern  Confederacy  might  become  an 
established  fact ;  but  notwithstanding  all  these  discouragements,  to 
the  true  men  of  this  glorious  army  the  final  result  of  the  war  was 
never  in  doubt.  Having  a  strong  conviction  of  the  righteousness 
of  the  Union  cause,  they  offered  their  lives  in  its  defence,  leaving 
the  result  in  the  hands  of  Almighty  God.  If  they  had  not  won 
victories,  they  felt  that  the  fault  did  not  rest  with  the  men  in  the 
ranks,  but  was  due  rather  to  the  mismanagement  of  commanding 
officers,  and  hoped  for  better  luck  next  time.  The  weather  was 
improving  and  drilling  was  resumed,  every  needful  preparation 
being  made  for  the  coming  campaign.  While  at  this  place  a  num 
ber  of  promotions  were  made  in  the  regiment,  Sergeant  G.  M. 
Donnelly  being  promoted  to  sergeant-major,  Sergeant  Nichols  to 
lieutenant,  Sergeant  Hanlon  to  lieutenant,  Sergeant  Booz  to  lieu 
tenant,  and  on  May  21,  Captain  Patterson  was  granted  twenty  days' 
sick  leave. 

On  the  3<Dth  of  May  the  corps  was  reviewed  by  General  Reynolds, 
who  warmly  commended  the  troops  for  their  excellent  appearance. 
On  June  i  the  regiment  had  326  present,  the  aggregate  present  and 
absent  being  448.  Major  Foust  was  in  command,  Colonel  Wagner 
having  been  forced  to  leave  on  account  of  his  wound  disabling  him 
from  active  duty  in  the  field.  Camp  rumors  of  all  sorts  spread  fast 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  103 

and  furious,  everybody  anticipating  some  great  movement ;  but  the 
wisest  prophet  was  at  a  loss,  and  the  knowing  ones  were  as  ignorant 
about  the  future  as  the  dullest  man  in  camp. 

On  June  4  orders  to  pack  up  came,  but  were  countermanded,  to 
be  renewed  and  changed  again  on  the  6th.  On  the  i2th,  however, 
final  orders  were  issued,  and,  breaking  camp,  the  brigade  marched  to 
the  north,  bivouacking  near  an  old  mill  after  a  twenty-mile  tramp. 
The  march  was  resumed  in  the  morning,  the  troops  passing  Grove 
Church  and  halting  near  Bealeton  until  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  1 4th,  when  the  tramp  was  continued.  Manassas  was  reached 
at  five  o'clock,  at  which  place  a  halt  was  made  until  the  next  morn 
ing,  when  the  division  proceeded  to  Centreville  and  formed  line  of 
battle,  expecting  the  enemy  to  come  through  the  mountain  passes  to 
attack  Washington. 

The  division  waited  until  the  iyth  for  the  Johnnies  to  turn  up, 
but  they  not  putting  in  an  appearance,  the  march  was  resumed  to 
Guilford  Station,  where  a  rest  was  taken  until  the  iQth,  on  which 
day  the  command  bivouacked  at  Goose  Creek,  after  marching  about 
fifteen  miles  in  a  heavy  rain.  The  weary  and  besoaked  men  were 
soon  rolled  in  their  blankets,  sleeping  the  slumber  of  the  just;  but 
at  midnight  the  long  roll  beat  sharp  and  clear  in  camp,  causing  every 
soldier  to  spring  to  arms.  This  proved  a  false  alarm,  however,  and 
the  men  were  soon  resting  again.  The  corps  remained  at  Goose 
Creek  until  June  25,  when  the  march  was  resumed,  the  command 
crossing  the  Potomac  at  Edwards  Ferry  and  halting  at  Barnsville 
until  the  26th ;  on  that  day  the  column  passed  through  Stanleyville, 
and,  crossing  the  Monocacy,  reached  Middletown  on  the  27th. 

On  the  28th  the  corps,  with  flying  colors,  marched  through  the 
loyal  city  of  Frederick,  at  which  place  we  were  informed  that  Gen 
eral  Meade  had  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  army;  this 
news  excited  no  particular  remark,  as  Meade  was  favorably  known  as 
the  commander  of  that  effective  division,  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves. 
The  green  fields  and  rolling  hills  of  "  My  Maryland,"  with  its  loyal 
people,  were  a  grateful  contrast  to  the  blighted  plains  and  ruined 
homesteads  of  "  Old  Virginny,"  whose  population  was  mostly  bit 
terly  opposed  to  the  Union,  giving  the  blue-coats  scowls  and  black 
looks  in  place  of  the  welcome  extended  by  these  patriotic  Mary- 


104  HISTORY  OF   THE 

landers,  and  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  army  will  ever  kindly  re 
member  the  beautiful  little  towns  of  this  section,  especially  Fred 
erick,  Boonsborough,  and  Middletown. 

A  halt  was  made  near  Emmittsburg  on  June  29,  but  the  march 
was  resumed  the  next  morning,  and  amidst  the  wildest  demonstra 
tions  of  joy  the  Pennsylvania  line  was  crossed  and  the  troops  were 
in  God's  country,  tramping  the  soil  of  the  glorious  old  Keystone 
State,  the  first  time  for  nearly  two  years  that  many  of  the  boys  had 
the  privilege  of  being  home  again. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  105 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

GETTYSBURG:  JULY  i,  2,  AND  3,  1863. 

THE  first  day  of  July,  1863,  dawned  clear  and  warm  upon  the 
ist  Corps,  bivouacked  in  the  fields  near  Marsh  Creek.  The  88th 
was  on  picket,  and  upon  returning  to  the  camp  about  nine  o'clock, 
.head  of  column  pulled  out  on  the  Gettysburg  pike.  The  morning 
was  blistering  hot,  and  the  stifling  clouds  of  yellow  dust,  settling  on 
the  ranks  like  a  blanket,  filled  the  eyes,  mouth,  nostrils,  and  entire 
person  of  the  soldier  with  an  impalpable  powder,  while  the  perspira 
tion,  running  down  the  skin,  ploughed  furrows  through  the  dirt. 
As  the  column  neared  Gettysburg  the  rumble  and  roar  of  cannon 
indicated  that  the  Johnnies  had  been  found,  and  soon  the  balls  of 
smoke  from  the  bursting  shells  were  visible  over  the  trees  near  the 
white  cupola  of  the  Seminary.  Presently  the  crackle  of  the  rifles  was 
heard,  mingled  with  the  manly  cheers  of  the  Union  soldiers  and 
occasionally  the  shrill  yelp  of  the  rebels  heard  above  the  din  of 
battle.  The  regiment  had  less  than  300  men  in  line,  led  by  Major 
Foust,  the  brigade  numbering  about  1200. 

The  division  was  held  in  reserve  near  the  Seminary  until  about 
noon,  at  which  time,  heavy  bodies  of  the  enemy  being  reported  by 
the  cavalry  as  coming  in  near  Oak  Hill,  Baxter  was  ordered  to  move 
in  that  direction.  Major  Foust  called  the  regiment  to  arms,  and, 
after  loading,  the  brigade,  following  the  ridge  over  the  cut,  preceded 
by  Colonel  Coulter  with  the  nth  and  9yth  Regiments,  soon  reached 
the  fields  and  woods  near  the  Mummasburg  road.  Here,  after  some 
preliminary  skirmishing  by  the  advance,  the  regiment  formed  line 
of  battle  near  the  road,  facing  northeast.  After  alignment,  skir 
mishers  were  sent  into  the  woods  to  ascertain  what  the  rebs  were 
about ;  but  no  extended  investigation  was  necessary,  as  the  boys 
from  the  other  side  were  coming  right  along,  supported  by  O'Neal's 
Alabama  brigade  in  line  of  battle,  cocked  and  primed  for  a  fight. 


106  HISTORY  OF   THE 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  in  this  connection,  that  the  boys  who 
wore  U.  S.  on  their  blankets  never  appeared  in  better  spirits  for 
battle  than  at  this  moment ;  they  were  full  of  fight ;  not  that  they 
took  naturally  to  that  kind  of  medicine,  but  every  man  and  boy 
felt  that  it  was  now  or  never,  and  all  resolved  to  fight  as  they  had 
never  fought  before. 

When  O'Neal's  lines  came  in  view  the  skirmishers  at  once  opened 
upon  them,  and  the  enemy  soon  fell  back  into  the  woods,  having 
sustained  considerable  loss.  After  these  troops  had  been  repulsed 
another  line  was  observed  approaching  the  road,  through  Forney's 
farm,  taking  Baxter  directly  in  the  left  flank  ;  this  movement  ne 
cessitated  a  change  of  front  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  bringing  the 
brigade  behind  a  low  stone  wall  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  road. 
And  none  too  soon,  for  the  field  in  front  was  swarming  with  Con 
federates,  who  came  sweeping  on  in  magnificent  order,  with  perfect 
alignment,  guns  at  right  shoulder  and  colors  to  the  front, — to  many 
the  dead  march.  Baxter's  men  behind  the  wall  waited  quietly  for 
the  enemy  to  come  within  range,  word  being  passed  along  to  aim 
low,  and  at  the  command  a  sheet  of  flame  and  smoke  burst  from 
the  wall  with  the  simultaneous  crash  of  the  rifles,  flaring  full  in  the 
faces  of  the  advancing  troops,  the  ground  being  quickly  covered 
with  their  killed  and  wounded  as  the  balls  hissed  and  cut  through 
the  exposed  line.  These  troops  were  Iverson's  brigade  of  North 
Carolinians,  and  though  they  were  badly  shaken  by  this  unexpected 
and  destructive  fire,  they  still  essayed  to  advance  to  the  charge  ;  but 
so  persistent  and  hot  was  their  reception  that  they  were  compelled 
to  fall  back  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  to  a  little  gully,  where  they 
rallied  and  opened  a  sharp  fire  on  the  Union  line.  This  fusillade 
was  maintained  some  time,  during  which  the  men  kept  well  under 
cover. 

Lying  side  by  side  behind  the  stone  wall  were  Sergeant  Evans,  of 
Company  B,  and  John  Witmoyer,  of  Company  H,  industriously 
engaged  in  firing  at  the  Confederates,  sending  back  the  leaden  com 
pliments  with  interest  added.  Being  good  marksmen,  their  balls 
struck  in  or  near  the  opposing  line,  making  it  very  lively  for  the 
"tar-heelers"  in  the  gully.  A  color-bearer  making  himself  very 
conspicuous  by  defiantly  flaunting  his  flag  in  plain  view,  Evans 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  107 

remarked,  as  he  brought  his  piece  to  his  shoulder,  "John,  I  will 
give  those  colors  a  whack."  At  this  moment  Witmoyer  heard  the 
dull  thud  of  a  bullet,  and  turning  quickly,  asked  Evans  if  he  was  hit. 
The  sergeant  did  not  reply,  but  slowly  bringing  his  musket  down, 
fell  over  dead,  the  ball  having  pierced  his  heart. 

The  fire  from  the  Confederate  infantry  and  artillery  was  rapidly 
thinning  the  ranks,  but  the  boys  made  it  very  interesting  for  the  gray 
line  posted  in  the  depression  a  hundred  yards  or  more  to  the  front, 
and  the  rebels  suffered  so  much  that  they  finally  manifested  a  dispo 
sition  to  surrender,  many  of  them  throwing  up  their  hats  and  in 
other  ways  indicating  that  they  had  had  more  than  enough,  and 
were  willing  to  be  taken  back  into  the  Union  ;  our  officers,  however, 
were  suspicious  as  to  their  sincerity,  many  thinking  it  a  trap.  About 
this  time  General  Baxter  advised  an  application  of  cold  steel,  the 
supply  of  cartridges  being  exhausted  ;  acting  on  this  hint,  the  regi 
ment  sprang  over  the  wall  with  a  shout,  followed  by  most  of  the  bri 
gade,  and,  charging  the  rebs,  ran  over  their  line  of  battle,  receiving 
the  surrender  of  hundreds  of  prisoners  and  capturing  the  flags  of  the 
23d  North  Carolina  and  an  Alabama  regiment,  Lieutenant  Levan 
taking  one,  which,  in  an  impromptu  speech,  he  presented  to  General 
Robinson,  and  Sergeant  Gilligan,  along  with  many  others,  capturing 
the  other  one. 

But  the  brigade  was  now  in  a  perilous  position  ;  a  galling  fire  in 
front  and  flank  rendered  the  place  too  hot  to  hold,  and  the  boys 
quickly  realizing  that  their  usefulness  at  this  point  was  over,  that 
pressing  engagements  called  them  to  the  stone  wall,  fell  back  with 
out  unnecessary  delay,  driving  their  willing  captives  before  them. 
Here  the  contest  was  renewed  against  Ramseur's  brigade  in  front 
and  O'Neal's  on  the  right,  with  Doles's  brigade  swinging  in  on  the 
right  rear,  and  under  this  musketry  fire  and  the  plunging  artillery 
fire  from  the  ridge,  Baxter's  line  was  rapidly  melting.  The  men 
now  running  out  of  ammunition,  Paul's  brigade  relieved  Baxter's, 
which  fell  to  the  rear.  Many  of  the  regiment  had  been  killed  or 
wounded,  among  the  latter  Major  Foust  (Captain  Mass  succeeding 
in  command) ;  Lieutenants  Ninesteel  and  Cuskaden ;  Sergeants 
Shravely,  Fraley,  and  Barber ;  Privates  Harry  Read,  Henry  Ford, 
James  G.  Clark,  M.  Conover,  George  Toland,  Henry  Arnold, 


108  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Samuel  Burkart,  Michael  Ruth,  Mark  Grigg,  Henry  Lloyd,  Phil. 
Schriner,  John  Nice,  William  Bixenstine,  Robert  Wallace,  and  a 
score  more,  many  killed,  others  weltering  in  their  blood  where  they 
fell  or  limping  painfully  to  the  rear,  their  course  marked  by  a  trail 
of  blood  as  they  searched  for  the  surgeons  to  dress  their  gaping 
wounds.  In  this  procession  of  wounded  men  was  Color-Corporal 
Bonnin,  with  the  regimental  flag,  well  to  the  rear;  and  though  faint 
from  loss  of  blood,  he  gamely  carried  the  flag  to  the  town,  turning 
it  over  to  the  regiment.  Then,  finding  he  could  go  no  farther,  he 
crawled  into  a  building  to  die,  as  he  supposed ;  but  he  didn't  die 
just  then,  and  at  the  present  writing  is  a  lively  specimen  of  a  corpse, 
able  to  take  his  rations  and  to  tell  war  stories  with  the  best  of  the 
old  boys. 

The  contest  had  been  maintained  for  nearly  three  hours  beneath 
the  sweltering  July  sun,  the  men  being  without  water,  lips  parched 
and  smeared  with  powder  ;  in  short,  they  were  completely  exhausted, 
and  dropped  out  one  by  one  as  the  weary  hours  wore  on.  About 
three  o'clock  the  enemy's  fire  increased  and  he  advanced  in  over 
whelming  masses  to  crush  the  thin  line  of  the  ist  Corps  on  the 
ridge,  a  large  force  also  coming  across  the  Mummasburg  road  on 
the  right  and  rear;  then  the  shattered  fragments  of  the  regiments 
composing  Robinson's  division  fell  slowly  back,  firing  as  they  re 
treated  ;  but  to  make  an  orderly  retreat  was  no  easy  matter,  the 
advancing  enemy  pouring  in  a  withering  fire  on  front  and  flanks, 
knocking  men  down  at  every  step.  Near  the  railroad  grading  a 
battery  of  artillery,  supposed  to  be  Stewart's,  was  in  danger  of  cap 
ture,  and  observing  this,  the  men,  encouraged  by  Captains  Mass, 
Whitesides,  Rhoads,  Richards,  and  Schell,  and  Lieutenants  Martin, 
Kram,  Detre,  Wagner,  Boone,  Levan,  Beath,  Grant,  Gardiner, 
Nichols,  Nunneville,  and  other  officers,  made  a  creditable  rally, 
the  gunners,  after  giving  the  Johnnies  a  few  extra  doses  of  canister, 
all  escaping.  Those  of  the  fugitives  who  cut  across  lots  and  avoided 
the  town  reached  the  cemetery  safely,  but  the  unfortunates  who  tried 
to  pass  through  the  town  were  nearly  all  captured,  the  Confederates 
having  succeeded  in  breaking  the  lines  of  the  nth  Corps  and  occu 
pying  tiie  town  while  the  ist  Corps  was  still  fighting  near  the  Semi 
nary. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  109 

While  retreating,  Lieutenant  Beath  overtook  Private  Little,  of 
his  company,  who  had  been  shot  through  the  body  while  gamely 
fighting  near  the  wall.  In  response  to  his  piteous  appeal  the  lieu 
tenant  remained  with  Little,  assisting  him  to  a  hospital  in  the  town. 
When  the  surgeon  examined  Little's  wound  he  pronounced  it  mortal, 
saying  that  he  would  not  live  two  hours.  On  hearing  this  the  wounded 
man  flared  up  in  unrighteous  indignation,  and  swore  by  many  strange 
oaths  that  he  would  not  die  just  yet,  but  would  outlive  the  surgeon, 
which  prediction,  notwithstanding  his  horrible  wound,  he  lived  to 
verify.  Through  helping  his  disabled  comrade,  Beath  had  got  into 
a  scrape,  being  now  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  having  recently 
won  his  shoulder-straps  by  hard  service,  he  naturally  objected  to 
travelling  Dixieward  as  a  prisoner  of  war.  He  therefore  offered  his 
services  in  the  care  of  the  wounded,  and  in  this  capacity,  having 
been  decorated  with  the  insignia  of  the  hospital  corps,  was  recog 
nized  by  the  Confederate  authorities. 

On  the  2d  the  lieutenant  visited  the  scene  of  the  first  day's  battle 
and  found  our  wounded  men  lying  uncared  for  on  the  field,  suffering 
untold  agony  from  their  festering  wounds.  After  having  assisted 
these  unfortunates  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  he  entered  the  McPher- 
son  barn,  which  had  been  improvised  as  a  hospital.  Here  the  most 
distressing  cases  of  suffering  met  his  sight,  the  barn  being  filled  with 
helpless  soldiers,  torn  and  mangled,  who  in  the  heat  of  the  fight 
had  been  carried  there  by  their  comrades,  and  had  lain  since  without 
care  or  attention  of  any  kind.  Their  lacerated  limbs  were  fright 
fully  swollen  and,  turning  black,  had  begun  to  decompose;  the 
blood  flowing  from  gaping  wounds  had  glued  some  of  the  sufferers 
to  the  floor.  He  found  a  soldier  wounded  in  one  arm,  and  impress 
ing  him  into  carrying  water,  and  tearing  his  own  underclothing  in 
ribbons,  washed  and  bandaged  their  wounds  to  the  best  of  his  abil 
ity.  In  the  evening  he  returned  to  the  town  and  prevailed  upon  a 
surgeon  to  go  out  to  the  barn  and  care  for  these  unfortunates. 

After  passing  through  the  town,  the  remnant  of  the  battalion 
rallied  around  the  colors  on  the  hill,  Captain  Whitesides  taking 
command,  and  though  scarcely  100  men  were  present,  they  were 
soon  in  line  of  battle,  not  very  eager,  but  ready  for  another  fight 
if  called  on.  Many  of  the  officers  and  men  had  been  killed, 


no  HISTORY  OF  THE 

wounded,  or  captured,  among  them  Captain  Mass,  wounded  and 
captured,  Captain  Schell  and  Lieutenants  Boone  and  Grant,  cap 
tured,  with  many  others  of  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri 
vates,  who  went  on  a  most  unwilling  excursion  to  rebeldom.  These 
prisoners  were  offered  their  paroles,  but  patriotically  refused  for 
two  reasons:  first,  that  it  required  a  large  force  of  Confederates  to 
guard  them  ;  secondly,  they  had  strong  hopes  of  being  recaptured 
before  they  got  to  Dixie  Land.  If  they  had  consulted  their  own 
personal  comfort,  every  one  of  them  might  have  avoided  the  horrors 
of  the  long  captivity  which  they  subsequently  endured,  some  of 
them  until  the  closing  days  of  the  war,  many  dying  in  the  foul 
prison  stockades  in  the  South. 

The  night  of  July  i  was  an  anxious  one  for  the  men  of  the  ist 
Corps,  as  they  extended  their  lines,  preparing  for  the  battle  on  the 
morrow;  but  the  steady  tramp  of  marching  troops,  with  the  rum 
bling  of  artillery,  informed  them  that  their  comrades  of  the  other 
corps  were  on  hand,  and  that  in  the  morning  there  would  be  troops 
enough  present  to  successfully  match  the  enemy.  During  the  night 
the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  left  of  Ziegler's  Grove,  where  the 
men  built  a  slight  breastwork  of  fence-rails  and  stones;  but  the 
next  morning,  being  relieved  by  the  2d  Corps,  the  brigade  marched 
over  in  rear  of  the  cemetery  and  waited  for  orders. 

Thursday,  July  2,  dawned  hot  and  sultry.  The  scene  on  the  hills 
back  of  the  town  was  an  animated  one,  troops  and  batteries  march 
ing  and  galloping  here  and  there,  taking  positions  and  preparing 
for  the  day's  bloody  work.  The  tired  men  of  Baxter's  brigade, 
utterly  worn  out  by  the  battle  of  the  day  before  and  by  moving  about 
all  night,  lay  quietly  on  the  hill  back  of  the  cemetery  until  after 
noon,  at  which  time  the  increasing  and  nearing  roar  of  battle  on 
the  Union  left  flank  indicated  that  Longstreet  had  overpowered  the 
veterans  of  the  3d  Corps  and  was  forcing  them  back.  To  this  point 
Robinson's  division  was  directed,  relieving  some  of  the  battered 
regiments  holding  that  line,  and,  throwing  out  skirmishers,  advanced 
towards  the  Emmittsburg  road,  searching  for  the  enemy  in  the  gather 
ing  gloom.  The  ground  had  all  been  fought  over,  the  fields  being 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  armies,  the  latter  crying 
piteously  for  help,  calling  the  names  of  comrades,  company,  or  regi- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  1 1 1 

ment,  in  their  frantic  appeals;  one  officer,  said  to  be  General  Barks- 
dale,  of  the  Confederate  army,  alternately  cursed  and  begged  for  aid. 
Help  was  given  to  all  the  wounded  within  reach  until  the  regiment 
was  relieved  in  the  night,  and  marching  to  the  vicinity  of  the  cem 
etery,  rested  there  until  the  morning  of  the  3d,  listening,  meanwhile, 
to  the  noise  of  the  conflict  between  the  i2th  Corps  and  Johnson's 
division  as  the  graybacks  were  forced  out  of  Rock  Creek  Valley. 

After  this  engagement  a  painful  quietness  ensued,  but  it  proved 
to  be  the  calm  before  the  storm.  What  mischief  the  enemy  was  con 
templating  was  difficult  to  fathom,  but  most  of  the  men  felt  that 
Lee  hadn't  been  whipped  enough  yet,  and  that  he  wouldn't  give 
it  up  so ;  and  besides,  the  movement  of  troops  and  posting  of  bat 
teries  on  the  other  side  indicated  that  something  was  up.  After  a 
sumptuous  dinner  of  hardtack  and  water,  the  tired  soldiers  rested  as 
best  they  could  in  the  hot  sun  until  about  one  P.M.,  when  the  sullen 
reports  of  two  or  three  cannon  within  the  Confederate  line  were  heard, 
and  before  their  echoes  had  ceased  to  reverberate  over  the  woods  and 
hills,  a  mighty  rumble  shook  the  earth  as  the  cannon  of  the  enemy 
simultaneously  opened  on  the  Union  position,  the  sky  soon  being 
obscured  by  heavy  clouds  of  white  smoke,  while  the  air  was  full  of 
hissing,  shrieking,  bursting  shells,  which  appeared  to  fall  everywhere 
in  the  Federal  lines.  For  a  few  moments  our  cannoneers  failed  to 
respond,  but  then  opened  furiously,  and  in  this  iron  tempest,  amid 
the  hissing  and  screaming  projectiles,  the  regiment  was  called  to 
arms,  being  marched  down  the  hill  to  a  clump  of  trees  known  as 
Ziegler's  Grove. 

The  cannonading,  together  with  the  shrieking  and  bursting  of 
the  shell  and  solid  shot  as  they  tore  madly  through  the  air,  made 
a  terrible  noise,  and  when  these  missiles  struck  the  ground  they 
threw  up  a  cloud  of  dust  as  high  as  the  trees,  sometimes  striking 
among  the  crouching  soldiers  or  ripping  through  the  batteries,  tear 
ing  men  and  horses  to  pieces  and  scattering  death  in  every  direction. 
For  about  two  hours  this  horrible  duel  continued,  over  200  cannon 
being  engaged,  the  shots  sometimes  counting  from  four  to  eight  in  a 
second,  never  less  than  one  or  two.  To  the  men,  who  crouched  be 
hind  the  hillocks  or  trees  that  afforded  the  smallest  protection,  or 
flattened  themselves  on  the  ground  in  the  least  possible  space,  it 


112  HISTORY  OF   THE 

seemed  as  if  this  horrible  racket  would  never  cease;  but  about  three 
o'clock.  General  Warren,  from  Round  Top,  reporting  to  Meade  that 
the  Union  cannon,  while  doing  the  enemy  but  slight  harm,  were 
filling  the  plain  with  a  cloud  of  smoke,  through  which  they  could 
approach  unobserved,  the  order  to  cease  firing  was  given.  Presently 
the  Confederate  fire  also  ceased,  and  over  the  fields  beyond  the  Em- 
mittsburg  road  the  gray  brigades  of  Pickett  and  Pettigrew,  with 
flaunting  red  battle-flags  and  the  sunlight  sparkling  on  their  polished 
rifle-barrels,  were  in  full  view,  the  lines  extending  to  the  right  and 
left  as  far  as  could  be  seen.  When  their  lines  had  fairly  uncovered, 
the  Union  artillery  opened  a  terrific  fire,  first  with  solid  shot  and 
shell  and  afterwards  with  single  and  double  charges  of  canister,  rip 
ping  through  their  ranks,  tearing  men  to  pieces,  and  causing  them 
to  waver ;  but  they  gallantly  closed  up  and,  after  crossing  the 
Emmittsburg  road,  broke  into  a  run  to  charge  the  Union  line.  As 
soon  as  they  were  within  easy  rifle  range  the  infantry  opened  a 
withering  fire ;  but  they  came  on,  though  now  badly  shattered, 
striking  the  Philadelphia  Brigade  a  short  distance  to  our  left,  when 
Baxter  was  ordered  to  the  rescue,  and  upon  reaching  the  scene 
found  the  spirit  of  the  charge  broken,  but  captured  many  prisoners, 
guns,  and  flags,  the  remnant  of  the  charging  column  scattering  in 
wild  confusion  over  the  plain,  intent  only  upon  getting  safely  back 
to  their  lines.  General  Lee  had  moved  his  queen  and  lost.  When 
the  result  was  known  a  mighty  shout  went  up  from  the  Union  troops, 
spreading  from  regiment  to  regiment  along  the  entire  line. 

After  the  terrible  repulse  of  Pickett  and  Pettigrew  there  were  in 
tense  excitement  and  consternation  in  the  Southern  ranks.  They 
had  been  fairly  whipped,  every  attack  having  utterly  failed.  Their 
army  was  literally  cut  to  pieces,  the  field  of  the  first  day's  rencontre 
being  still  encumbered  with  their  killed  and  wounded,  while  the 
ground  over  which  Longstreet  had  fought  on  the  2d  and  3d  and  the 
woods  along  Rock  Creek  were  strewn  with  dead  and  dying,  torn  and 
mangled  Confederates,  every  house  and  barn  also  being  filled  with 
these  disabled  soldiers,  with  but  scant  means  among  their  friends  to 
alleviate  the  suffering  on  every  hand.  Lee  had  staked  the  life  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy  on  this  field  and  lost,  and  his  soldiers  realized 
the  perilous  position  they  were  in.  They  began  to  retreat  from 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  113 

Gettysburg  on  the  night  of  July  3,  their  artillery  and  wagon  train 
taking  the  Chambersburg  and  Millerstown  roads,  the  infantry  going 
over  the  railroad  grading,  the  stragglers  and  slightly  wounded  taking 
any  and  every  path  and  anything  else  they  could  carry  away  with  them. 

Dr.  Rawlins,  our  regimental  surgeon,  and  Hospital  Steward  Frank 
Murphy  had  kindly  remained  on  the  battle-field  of  the  first  day  to 
attend  the  wounded  of  the  regiment,  the  doctor  being  at  the 
Shead  House,  on  Oak  Ridge.  Here  he  was  a  close  observer  of  the 
movements  as  well  as  of  the  spirit  of  the  Confederate  troops.  After 
their  disastrous  repulse  on  the  3d  they  gave  it  up,  having  lost  all 
appetite  for  more  fight ;  the  retreat  commenced  at  nightfall  of  the 
3d,  the  only  troops  visible  on  this  part  of  the  field  on  the  morning 
of  the  4th  being  Ramseur's  brigade,  which  was  spread  over  a  long 
line  to  give  the  appearance  of  a  large  force.  On  the  night  of  the 
4th  they  withdrew,  leaving  only  a  strong  rear- guard  to  act  as  sharp 
shooters  and  delay  the  Union  advance  as  long  as  possible. 

Many  of  our  men  who  were  within  the  Confederate  lines  during 
these  fearful  days  kept  their  eyes  and  ears  open,  thereby  learning 
much  of  the  feeling  among  their  troops.  The  rebels  fully  expected 
a  victory,  and  were  slow  to  admit  a  reverse  when  repulsed,  but 
always  claimed  to  have  the  Yanks  just  where  they  wanted  them  ;  that 
Uncle  Bob  would  lead  them  into  Philadelphia  yet.  Standing  on  the 
steps  of  the  Lutheran  Church  were  a  group  of  wounded  Union  sol. 
diers,  chaffing  with  some  Johnnies  on  the  sidewalk,  when  a  great 
lanky  Confederate,  dressed  in  a  citizen's  black  suit  topped  with 
a  high  silk  hat,  rode  up  and  tauntingly  asked  the  Federal  soldiers 
"  How  he  would  pass  for  old  Abe  Lincoln."  No  sooner  had  the 
words  been  spoken  than  a  Union  soldier  standing  on  the  steps  un 
expectedly  gave  the  counterfeit  a  crushing  blow  in  the  face  which 
threw  him  off  his  mule  into  the  street.  The  Southerners,  espousing 
the  cause  of  their  friend,  grasped  their  arms,  and  for  a  while  it  ap 
peared  as  if  there  would  be  a  skrimmage;  but  in  the  midst  of  the 
uproar  a  Confederate  major  rode  up  and  ordered  the  butternuts  to 
their  regiments. 

After  the  repulse  on  the  3d  the  Union  lines  were  strengthened, 
but  no  further  attack  being  made,  the  88th  went  on  the  skirmish 
line  at  nightfall,  having  a  hot  time  with  the  enemy's  videttes.  Next 

8 


114  HISTORY  OF   THE 

morning  the  regiment  was  relieved,  but  again  advanced  to  the 
front  line  on  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  the  4th.  There  were  proba 
bly  but  few  Confederates  on  hand,  but  those  who  were  there  opened 
a  sharp  fire  on  the  regiment,  which  was  promptly  returned,  though  a 
heavy  rain  drenching  the  men  and  flooding  the  ground  made  sharp- 
shooting  very  uncomfortable  work. 

The  following  day  was  spent  in  burying  the  dead,  bringing  in  the 
wounded,  and  counting  heads  to  ascertain  who  were  present  and 
who  absent. 

EXTRACT  FROM  GENERAL  HENRY  BAXTER'S  REPORT  OF  THE  BATTLE 
OF  GETTYSBURG. 

We  heard  cannonading,  and  inarched  as  rapidly  as  possible,  arriving  at  n  A.M.  ; 
the  nth  Pennsylvania  and  97th  New  York  continued  their  march,  moving  to  the 
front.  The  remaining  four  regiments  were  ordered  forward  and  formed  on  the 
right  of  the  two  already  sent. 

Indications  being  that  we  should  be  attacked  on  our  right,  I  at  once  changed 
front  by  filing  to  the  right  and  forming  forward  on  first  battalion.  I  sent  skir 
mishers  forward,  but  the  enemy  now  appearing  on  our  left,  I  had  to  change  front 
to  the  left,  and  moved  to  the  crest  of  the  hill,  bringing  us  before  the  enemy,  when 
the  brigade  opened  a  most  deadly  fire,  soon  causing  them  to  give  way.  Another 
line  took  the  place  of  that  repulsed,  and  at  this  time  they  appeared  on  our  right 
flank,  making  it  necessary  for  the  QOth  to  change  front  to  meet  them.  Again 
they  were  repulsed  and  again  re-enforced.  The  97th  and  83d  New  York  and 
88th  Pennsylvania  made  a  charge,  capturing  many  prisoners,  the  88th  taking  two 
battle-flags  and  the  97th  one. 

We  were  relieved  by  Paul's  brigade,  having  been  engaged  over  two  hours,  and 
then  ordered  to  support  Stewart's  battery  until  ordered  from  the  field.  .  .  . 

About  5  o'clock  the  brigade  moved  from  Cemetery  Hill  to  the  left,  near  and 
parallel  with  the  Emmittsburg  road,  remaining  in  this  position  until  about  10  o'clock 
of  the  2d,  being  relieved  by  Webb's  brigade  of  the  2d  Corps;  moving  to  the  rear 
until  about  4  P.M.,  then  to  the  right  a  short  distance  to  support  a  battery  of  the 
nth  Corps,  remaining  here  till  about  6  o'clock,  losing  men  from  the  enemy's 
shells  and  sharp-shooters.  We  were  now  ordered  to  the  left  to  assist  the  3d  Corps, 
losing  men  killed  and  wounded  from  the  enemy's  shells. 

Sent  skirmishers  to  the  front,  when,  after  dark,  were  ordered  to  support  the  I  ith 
Corps  near  the  position  we  last  left,  where  we  remained  until  the  morning  of  the 
3d,  when  we  again  supported  the  batteries  of  the  nth  Corps. 

About  9  A.M.  we  went  to  the  right  to  support  the  I2th  Corps,  and  about  I  P.M. 
to  the  right  and  front  of  Cemetery  Hill  in  support  of  batteries;  under  a  heavy  fire 
nearly  two  hours. 


LIEUTENANT   ClIAKLES    HUNTER. 


IMP** 

'    -•«*•*!**» 


LIEUTENANT  ROHEKT  1!.  DEATH. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  6th  Regiment  U.  S.  C.  '!' 


LIEUTENANT  GEOH(;E  E.  WAGNEK. 
Drevet  Colonel  U.  S.  Vols. 


LllUTKNANT    MoKTIMKU    WlSIIAM.  CoKPOKAL    HAKVKY 

COMPANY    D. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  115 

We  were  then  ordered  to  the  left  and  rear  of  Cemetery  Hill,  and  then  to  the 
left,  and  on  the  right  of  Ilays's  division  of  the  2d  Corps,  where  we  at  once  formed 
line  of  battle  under  one  of  the  most  galling  artillery  fires  ever  witnessed.  Threw 
out  skirmishers,  who  drove  back  the  enemy.  .  .  . 

The  brigade  went  into  the  battle  on  the  ist  with  a  few  less  than  1200  .  .  .  and 
lost  645,  the  heavy  loss  being  on  the  ist. 

H.  BAXTER, 
Brigadier- Gen.  commanding  2d  Brigade. 

The  following  table  taken  frofn  the  official  records  tells  the  story 
of  the  losses  in  Robinson's  division  : 

1ST    BRIGADE,    GENERAL    PAUL   COMMANDING. 

Killed.          Wounded.       Missing.         Total. 

Staff 2  3  5 

1 3th  Massachusetts 7  77  101  185 

iO7th  Pennsylvania II  56  98  165 

1 04th  New  York n  91  92  194 

94th  New  York .12  58  175  245 

1 6th  Maine 9  .          59  164  232 

Total 50  343  633  1026 

2D    BRIGADE,    GENERAL    HENRY    BAXTER   COMMANDING. 

Killed.          Wounded.  Missing.  Total. 

Staff .    .  i  i 

1 2th  Massachusetts 5  52  62  119 

9th  New  York  State  Militia  (83d)     6  18  58  82 

97th  New  York 12  36  78  126 

nth  Pennsylvania 6  64  62  132 

88th  Pennsylvania 10  54  42  106 

9<Dth  Pennsylvania 8  45  40  93 

Total      47  269  343  659 


Il6  HISTORY  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

A    DISCURSIVE    CHAPTER    ON    THE    FIRST    DAY    AT    GETTYSBURG. 
POSITIONS    OF    THE    UNION    ARMY    ON    JUNE    30,    1863. 

ON  the  evening  of  June  30  the  various  commands  comprising  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  were  at  distances  ranging  from  five  to  thirty- 
five  miles  from  Gettysburg,  Buford's  cavalry  occupying  the  town. 
The  ist  Corps  was  five  miles  distant,  near  Marsh  Creek;  the  nth 
Corps  near  Emmittsburg,  about  ten  miles  away  ;  and  the  3d  Corps 
at  Bridgeport.  These  corps  formed  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  under 
the  personal  direction  of  General  Reynolds.  The  2d  Corps  was  at 
Uniontown,  the  5th  at  Union.Mills,  the  6th  at  Manchester,  the  i2th 
at  Littlestown,  and  Gregg's  and  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  were  between 
Manchester  and  Hanover,  chasing  Stuart's  Confederate  troopers  and 
trying  to  prevent  them  from  joining  Lee's  army.  Stuart  and  Kil- 
patrick  came  together  on  the  morning  of  the  3oth,  between  ten  and 
eleven  A.M.,  at  Hanover,  and  had  a  spirited  contest,  resulting  in 
Stuart  heading  towards  York,  in  his  blind  effort  to  find  Lee,  with 
Kilpatrick  in  pursuit.  This  was  a  fine  piece  of  work  by  Kilpatrick, 
for  had  he  allowed  Stuart  to  go  to  Heidlersburg,  the  latter  would  have 
joined  Early's  division  on  the  morning  of  July  i  and  been  present 
at  the  opening  of  the  battle.  General  Meade's  plan  was  to  take  a 
defensive  position  on  the  Pipe  Creek  line,  if  no  better  offered,  and 
the  selection  of  Gettysburg  for  the  greatest  battle  in  America  was 
an  unforeseen  feature  of  the  campaign. 

CONFEDERATE    POSITIONS    ON    JUNE    30. 

General  Lee,  upon  discovering  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was 
after  him,  on  the  28th  of  June  directed  his  divisions  to  discontinue 
their  march  towards  the  Susquehanna  and  concentrate  on  Gettys 
burg,  and  in  compliance  with  that  order  the  rebel  army,  on  June  30, 
was  approaching  the  town,  Heth  being  the  nearest,  at  Cashtown,  seven 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  1 1  7 

or  eight  miles  west  of  Gettysburg ;  Rodes  and  Early  near  Heidlers- 
burg,  ten  miles  away;  the  other  divisions  following  Heth  on  the 
Chambersburg  road;  and  Stuart's  cavalry  near  Hanover,  on  his  wild 
foray  east  of  Meade's  army. 

BUFORD    TO    THE    RESCUE. 

Buford's  division  comprised  the  following  troops :  Gamble's 
brigade  (the  8th  Illinois,  four  companies  of  the  i2th  Illinois,  six 
companies  of  the  3d  Indiana,  and  the  8th  New  York) ;  Devin's 
brigade  (6th  and  Qth  New  York,  zyth  Pennsylvania,  and  three  com 
panies  of  the  3d  West  Virginia  Cavalry,  with  Calef's  Battery  A, 
2d  U.  S.  Artillery)  ;  in  all,  about  3000  strong.  This  force  reached 
Gettysburg  about  noon,  just  as  Pettigrew's  Confederate  brigade  was 
approaching  from  the  west.  Buford  scared  Pettigrew  off,  who  told 
Heth  that  he  had  encountered  cavalry  and  infantry  and  thought  it 
best  to  retire. 

Buford  immediately  scouted  the  country  and  reported  very  accu 
rately  the  location  and  probable  intentions  of  the  Confederates. 
He  found  the  town  in  a  ferment  of  excitement  caused  by  past  and 
prospective  requisitions  from  the  Johnnies,  and  his  troopers  were 
hailed  as  deliverers  by  the  delighted  people.  They  were  just  in  time, 
for  Pettigrew's  errand  was  to  search  the  town  for  army  supplies 
(shoes  especially)  and  return  the  same  day. 

THE    FIRST    SHOT. 

Wednesday,  July  i,  1863,  opened  very  warm,  and  the  summer 
sun  cast  its  bright  rays  upon  Buford's  skirmishers,  as  they  watched 
among  the  clover  and  wild  flowers  for  the  Southern  soldiers  to  come 
down  from  the  mountains. 

Heth  left  camp  near  Cashtown  about  five  o'clock,  in  time  to 
make  a  full  day,  and  soon  ran  against  an  outpost  of  the  8th  Illinois, 
posted  on  the  hill  a  few  hundred  yards  east  of  Marsh  Creek,  and 
here  the  first  shot  was  fired  by  Captain  Jones,  of  that  regiment. 
The  videttes  fell  back  to  the  skirmish  line,  and  soon  Marye's  battery 
opened  the  ball  for  the  Confederates,  Calef  presently  taking  it  up 
for  the  Federals.  The  first  soldier  killed  was  Henry  Raison,  of  the 
yth  Tennessee.  The  cavalry  dismounted  and  formed  line  of  battle 


n  HISTORY  OF  THE 

near  the  McPherson  barn,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  Chambersburg 
road. 

When  Heth  found  that  his  skirmishers  were  having  trouble  in 
front,  he  deployed  Archer's  and  Davis's  brigades,  and  a  little  past 
ten  o'clock  sent  them  over  the  creek  to  see  what  was  in  his  front. 

WADSWORTH    TO    THE    FRONT. 

Wadsworth's  division  left  its  bivouac,  some  four  or  five  miles 
from  Gettysburg,  about  eight  o'clock ;  but  Heth,  starting  at  five 
o'clock  from  Cashtown,  reached  the  field  first. 

General  Reynolds,  leaving  his  column,  hurried  to  Gettysburg  as 
soon  as  he  heard  the  cannonading,  and  with  Buford  hastily  surveyed 
the  field.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost  if  the  Confederate  advance 
was  to  be  checked,  so  leaving  Buford  to  encourage  his  carbineers  to 
hold  out  a  little  longer,  Reynolds  rode  back  to  meet  Wadsworth's 
division,  the  brigade  flag  of  General  Cutler,  being  in  plain  view  as 
that  command  crossed  the  fields  near  the  Codori  house,  the  Iron 
Brigade  a  good  second,  just  as  Archer  and  Davis  were  crossing  the 
run  and  driving  the  cavalry.  Cutler,  being  on  the  right,  deployed 
first,  sending  the  i4th  Brooklyn  (84th  New  York)  and  the  95111  New 
York  along  the  Chambersburg  road  to  support  Hall's  battery,  which 
relieved  Calef,  the  object  of  this  movement  being  to  meet  Archer's 
left  regiment  near  the  toll-|ate.  He  then  sent  the  76th  New  York, 
56th  Pennsylvania,  and  i4rth  New  York,  in  the  order  named,  from 
the  right  across  the  grading  to  meet  Davis,  who  was  forcing  the 
cavalry  in  that  direction. 

While  Hall's  battery  and  the  141)1  and  95th  Regiments  were  dis 
puting  Archer's  advance  near  the  Chambersburg  road,  the  Iron 
Brigade  came  across  the  Hagerstown  road  on  the  double-quick  and 
went  straight  for  McPherson's  woods. 

CAPTURE    OF   ARCHER. 

Reynolds  directed  the  advance,  while  Doubleday  urged  the  im 
portance  of  holding  the  woods  to  the  last.  The  black  hats  were 
full  of  fight,  saying,  "If  we  can't  hold  it,  where  will  you  find  men 
who  can  ?" 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  119 

Archer  says  that  his  brigade  was  at  some  disadvantage  in  crossing 
the  creek,  but  his  men  rushed  across  with  a  cheer  (yell)  and  opened 
fire  when  about  fifty  yards  from  the  Union  line.  The  contest  had 
been  maintained  but  a  short  time  when  a  heavy  force  opened  a  cross 
fire  on  his  right  flank,  rendering  the  position  untenable  and  forcing 
the  brigade  back  across  the  creek,  where  it  reformed  in  rear  of  its 
supports. 

To  properly  comprehend  the  movement  of  the  Iron  Brigade  in  its 
charge  upon  Archer,  it  must  be  understood  that  it  approached 
the  field  in  column  in  this  order:  2d  and  yth  Wisconsin,  igth 
Indiana,  and  24th  Michigan  ;  the  6th  Wisconsin  was  in  reserve  near 
the  Seminary.  These  troops  went  in  on  the  double-quick,  loading 
as  they  ran,  and  deployed  as  stated,  with  the  2d  Wisconsin  on  the 
right,  facing  the  woods.  The  brigade  soon  advanced,  the  left  regi 
ments  swinging  clear  around  into  the  woods  in  rear  of  the  Tennes- 
seeans.  After  pushing  about  fifty  yards  into  the  timber  it  received 
a  terrific  fire  from  Archer's  troops,  which  knocked  over  scores  of 
men  ;  but  the  advance  was  irresistible,  and  though  the  Confederates 
made  a  gallant  stand,  the  Hoosiers,  sweeping  in  from  front  and 
flank,  routed  them,  and  those  who  were  not  disabled  or  captured  fled 
to  their  supports  across  the  creek  without  delay,  leaving  General 
Archer  a  captive.  Meredith's  left  regiments  followed  the  fugitives 
across  the  run,  but  soon  returned,  forming  a  new  line  in  the  woods, 
with  the  2d  Wisconsin  on  the  right  and  the  iQth  Indiana  on  the 
left. 

Though  this  movement  resulted  in  a  brilliant  success  for  the  Union 
arms,  it  was  attained  at  the  cost  of  Reynolds's  life,  he  being  killed  by 
a  sharp-shooter's  bullet  just  as  the  advance  began.  So  died,  honored 
and  respected,  in  defence  of  his  native  State,  one  of  the  ablest 
generals  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

CUTLER   AND    DAVIS. 

But  while  this  wing  of  Wadsworth's  division  was  engaged  with 
Archer's  men,  Davis  was  making  it  very  interesting  for  the  other 
wing  north  of  the  cut  in  the  old  railroad  grading.  As  Davis  ad 
vanced  he  observed  Cutler's  men  forming  on  a  ridge  in  his  front, 
and  about  10.30  A.M.  he  opened  on  them  before  they  were  fully 


120  HISTORY  OF   THE 

aligned.  The  fire  was  promptly  returned  and  continued  with  great 
spirit  by  both  sides,  the  Confederates  rushing  on  with  the  greatest 
recklessness,  evidently  expecting  the  Union  soldiers  to  fall  back, 
while  the  blue-coats  evinced  no  disposition  to  do  so,  but  faced  the 
music  like  good  soldiers  striving  to  earn  their  thirteen  dollars  per 
month,  worth  in  gold  at  this  date  about  seven  dollars.  Davis  had 
the  advantage  in  numbers,  however,  his  left  considerably  overlapping 
the  76th  New  York,  and  when  the  55th  North  Carolina  advanced,  it 
took  Cutler  in  flank  and  rear,  and  though  the  76th  attempted  to 
change  front  to  right  to  meet  this  galling  cross-fire,  it  was  unavailing, 
both  that  regiment  and  the  56th  Pennsylvania  being  forced  back  to 
the  woods  with  heavy  loss,  including  Major  Grover,  the  commander 
of  the  76th.  In  the  melee  the  1471!!  New  York,  in  line  nearer 
the  railroad  cut,  having  its  commanding  officers  disabled,  did  not 
get  the  order  to  retreat,  and  was  almost  surrounded  before  it  was 
forced  off  the  field.  The  76th  and  56th  rallied  near  the  woods,  but 
the  Confederates  broke  their  line  again,  forcing  them  over  the  hill. 
When  near  the  town,  however,  they  formed  once  more,  quickly 
advancing  up  the  hill  to  renew  the  fight,  and  this  time  with  better 
success,  for  Davis,  being  attacked  on  his  right,  had  more  on  his  hands 
than  he  bargained  for. 

The  final  dressing  down  that  Davis  received  occurred  in  this  way. 
When  Cutler's  two  left  regiments,  the  i4th  and  95th,  were  apprised 
of  the  peril  of  their  comrades,  they  left  Archer's  men  to  the  paternal 
care  of  the  Iron  Brigade,  and,  facing  about,  double-quicked  along 
the  pike  towards  the  town  until  they  were  on  Davis's  flank;  then, 
by  change  of  front,  formed  line  facing  the  railroad  grading.  The 
6th  Wisconsin  coming  in  on  the  right  of  Cutler,  the  entire  line 
made  a  rush  for  Davis,  who  had  changed  front  and  occupied  the  cut 
to  meet  this  threatened  attack.  The  Confederates  made  a  resolute 
stand,  but  the  flanking  process  so  successfully  practised  on  Archer 
was  again  applied  here  with  like  result.  While  the  main  line  swept 
on  in  a  front  attack  from  the  Chambersburg  road,  a  detachment  of 
the  6th  Wisconsin  took  position  across  the  cut  and  enfiladed  the 
Confederate  line.  The  Mississippians  were  not  easily  whipped,  but 
a  further  sacrifice  of  their  gallant  men  in  an  attempt  to  check  this 
impetuous  attack  would  have  been  useless,  and  those  that  could  do 


EIGHTY- EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  121 

so  retreated  along  the  grading  and  over  the  fields  to  the  friendly 
side  of  the  creek ;  but  hundreds  were  shot  and  several  hundred 
more  captured,  including  most  of  the  2d  Mississippi  with  its  officers 
and  colors,  the  latter  being  taken  by  the  6th  Wisconsin. 

In  the  above  condensed  sketch  of  this  preliminary  combat  the 
writer  is  conscious  that  but  an  imperfect  description  has  been  given, 
and  hopes  that  no  one  will  imagine  that  it  was  a  spiritless  affair. 
The  Confederates  at  first  exposed  themselves  with  a  freedom  bor 
dering  on  bravado,  while  the  defence  and  counter-attack  by  Wads- 
worth  were  most  obstinate  and  irresistible,  the  result  being  that  both 
sides  were  terribly  used  up  in  this  savage  encounter,  the  Confeder 
ates  losing  over  1000  men  and  the  Union  loss  being  almost  as  heavy 
during  this  half-hour's  murderous  work. 

CAPTAIN  HALL'S  GALLANT  FIGHT. 

As  mentioned  above,  Captain  Hall's  battery  accompanied  Cutler's 
left  to  meet  Archer's  attack  on  the  Chambersburg  road.  He  went 
into  battery  near  the  barn,  and  about  10.45  A.M.  talked  back  to 
Pegram's  batteries  at  1300  yards'  distance.  Hall  was  holding  his 
own;  but  when  the  infantry  was  withdrawn  to  attack  Davis  he  was 
left  without  support,  being  assailed  by  a  swarm  of  sharp-shooters 
from  the  grading,  who  shot  his  horses  and  gunners.  Though  he 
gave  them  unstinted  doses  of  canister,  he  could  not  fight  skirmish 
ers  ;  so  after  losing  twenty-two  men  and  thirty-four  horses  he  dragged 
his  pieces  to  the  rear,  leaving  one  gun,  which  was  subsequently 
recovered. 

Thus  ended  the  first  round  of  the  first  day  at  Gettysburg,  fought 
by  two  brigades  of  infantry  and  two  Union  and  several  Confederate 
batteries,  comprising  a  little  less  than  4000  men  on  each  side;  but 
the  Johnnies  were  beaten  at  all  points,  and  retired  discomfited  to  the 
friendly  cover  of  the  woods  across  the  creek. 

HETH    REFORMING    HIS    LINES. 

When  the  discouraged  stragglers  from  Archer's  and  Davis's  bri 
gades  came  streaming  to  the  rear,  they  were  rallied  with  much 
trouble  and  again  faced  to  the  front.  Heth  now  realized  that  there 
was  serious  work  ahead,  and,  while  his  other  brigades  and  supports 


122  HISTORY  OF   THE 

were  forming,  he  treated  the  Union  lines  to  a  lively  cannonade  from 
his  numerous  batteries.  He  posted  Davis's  battered  brigade  on  his 
left  near  the  grading,  then  Brockenbrough's  Virginians  (the  55th, 
47th,  4oth,  and  22d  Regiments)  as  named  from  the  left,  then  Petti- 
grew's  strong  brigade  of  North  Carolinians  (the  nth,  26th,  4yth, 
and  52d)  from  the  left  to  right,  with  the  remnant  of  Archer's  brigade 
on  his  extreme  right,  near  the  Hagerstown  road.  Fender's  division 
formed  in  rear  of  Heth,  Lane's  brigade  on  the  right,  Colonel  Perrin 
with  McGowan's  brigade  in  the  centre,  Scales  on  the  left,  and  Thomas 
in  reserve.  On  the  morning  of  July  i  these  two  divisions  mustered 
not  less  than  13,000  men. 

On  the  ridge  near  Herr's  tavern  General  Hill  had  at  this  time 
about  forty  guns  in  action,  commanding  all  the  ground  occupied  by 
the  Union  troops,  and  while  waiting  for  Ewell  he  kept  his  gunners 
busy  battering  the  Federal  line. 

RODES    TO    THE    RESCUE. 

Rodes's  division,  of  Ewell's  2d  Confederate  Corps,  when  about 
four  miles  distant,  heard  the  cannonading,  and  leaving  the  Newville 
road,  struck  across  Oak  Ridge,  arriving  within  sight  of  the  fight 
about  noon.  Upon  surveying  the  field,  it  became  evident  to  Rodes 
that  by  keeping  along  the  wooded  ridge  he  could  strike  the  Union 
force  facing  Hill's  corps  upon  the  flank,  and  that,  moving  under 
cover,  he  could  engage  them  at  great  advantage.  He  therefore  sent 
Blackford's  battalion  of  sharp-shooters  and  Doles's  brigade  to  his 
left,  near  the  Carlisle  road,  to  watch  for  Early  and  to  keep  Devin's 
troopers  in  check.  Then,  with  O'Neal  on  the  ridge,  Iverson  on  his 
right  near  the  Mummasburg  road,  and  Daniels  and  Ramseur  coming 
up,  he  sent  his  four  batteries  under  Colonel  Carter  to  the  front,  to 
seek  for  a  good  position  to  rake  the  Union  lines.  Rodes's  division 
was  one  of  the  strongest  and  best  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia,  reporting,  on  June  30,  aggregate  present  9098 ;  effectives, 
8125,  not  including  the  artillery;  and  this  experienced  division, 
secretly  marching  down  on  the  bare  flank  of  the  Union  corps, 
threatened  swift  disaster  to  it.  Rodes's  experienced  mind  compre 
hended  that  he  held  the  key  of  the  field,  and  he  felt  confident  that 
when  he  got  ready  to  launch  his  powerful  brigades  against  the  Union 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  123 

line  he  would  knock  it  to  pieces.  Off  to  the  east  clouds  of  dust  as 
sured  him  that  "Old  Jubilee' '  would  soon  be  on  hand,  and  he  hastened 
his  preparations  to  strike  his  opponents,  feeling  satisfied  that  if  he 
needed  help  Early  would  be  quick  to  the  rescue.  To  reach  the 
Union  troops  fighting  Heth  it  was  necessary  for  Rodes  to  change 
direction  to  the  right,  and  while  performing  this  movement  Carter's 
batteries  opened  on  Cutler,  near  the  cut.  Rodes's  preparations 
were  almost  completed,  when,  to  his  surprise,  Union  troops  appeared 
in  his  front,  the  nth  Corps  debouching  from  the  town,  together 
with  Robinson's  division  of  the  ist  Corps. 

ROBINSON    TO    THE    FRONT. 

Robinson's  division  arrived  between  eleven  and  twelve  o'clock, 
Baxter  leading  Paul.  These  troops  halted  near  the  Seminary,  part 
of  them  erecting  a  frail  barricade  of  fence-rails  which  proved  very 
serviceable  as  a  rallying-place  for  the  retreating  troops  later  in  the 
day.  This  flimsy  breastwork  comprised  all  the  works  on  either  side 
during  the  first  day's  fight. 

About  noon  the  cavalry  reported  Rodes  approaching  Oak  Ridge. 
This  necessitated  the  prolongation  of  the  Union  line  to  the  right, 
and  Colonel  Coulter,  with  the  nth  Pennsylvania,  and  Colonel 
Wheelock's  97th  New  York  were  sent  along  the  ridge  to  a  point 
near  the  Mummasburg  road.  Baxter  soon  brought  up  the  rest  of 
the  brigade,  Paul  following  about  an  hour  later,  and  forming  his 
command  on  Baxter's  left  and  rear.  These  were  the  troops  that 
Rodes  had  observed  in  his  front,  and  because  of  their  advance  through 
the  woods  he  did  not  discover  them  until  they  uncovered,  probably 
less  than  500  yards  from  his  point  of  observation. 

The  ground  occupied  by  Robinson  is  much  lower  than  Oak  Ridge 
and  was  completely  commanded  by  Rodes's  cannon,  the  position 
being  untenable  for  the  Union  artillery  while  Rodes  held  the  hill. 
Stewart's  battery  at  the  cut  was  the  nearest  artillery  to  this  point. 

ARRIVAL   OF    ROWLEY* S    3D    DIVISION. 

Biddle's  brigade,  of  this  division,  came  in  on  the  Hagerstown 
road,  while  Stone  arrived  by  way  of  the  Emmittsburg  road,  in 


124  HISTORY  OF   THE 

advance  of  the  2d  Division,  between  eleven  and  twelve  o'clock. 
Stone's  2d  Brigade  was  posted  along  the  Chambersburg  road,  near 
the  McPherson  buildings  and  between  the  Iron  Brigade  and  Cutler's 
brigade,  the  former  being  in  the  woods  and  the  latter,  at  this  hour, 
in  the  fields  north  of  the  cut,  on  the  ground  where  it  had  contested 
with  Davis  an  hour  earlier.  Rowley's  division  was  composed  of 
Pennsylvania  troops,  with  the  exception  of  the  Soth  New  York 
(2oth  New  York  State  Militia),  a  veteran  regiment  of  hard  fighters. 
Biddle's  brigade  was  sent  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  ist  Corps,  and 
before  the  final  Confederate  advance  occupied  several  positions  near 
the  Hagerstown  road,  changing  its  lines  as  new  opponents  were 
discovered. 

THE    ARTILLERY    ON    HAND. 

As  before  noted,  Calef's  (Tidball's)  horse  artillery,  A,  2d  United 
States,  six  3  inch  rifles,  and  Hall's  2d  Maine,  six  3-inch  rifles,  took 
a  prominent  part  in  the  opening  exercises.  The  rest  of  the  ist 
Corps  artillery,  consisting  of  Stewart's,  B,  4th  United  States,  six 
12  pounders;  Reynolds's,  L,  ist  New  York,  six  3-inch  rifles;  Coop 
er's,  B,  ist  Pennsylvania,  four  3-inch  rifles ;  and  Stevens's  5th  Maine, 
six  12  pounders,  arrived,  under  command  of  Colonel  Wainwright, 
and  massed  in  front  of  the  Seminary.  Including  Calef,  these  bat 
teries  comprised  thirty-four  guns.  He  posted  Cooper  in  an  oat- 
field  about  350  yards  south  of  the  Chambersburg  road,  Stewart  on 
both  sides  of  the  cut,  Reynolds  on  the  McPherson  farm  to  assist 
Calef,  Stevens  near  the  Seminary,  and  Hall  in  reserve.  Reynolds's 
battery  was  divided,  one  section  being  posted  near  the  farm-house 
and  the  other,  under  Lieutenant  Wilbur,  in  a  peach-orchard  south 
of  the  road.  The  latter  was  badly  hammered  when  Carter's  three 
batteries  opened  on  it  from  Oak  Ridge,  being  frequently  compelled 
to  change  position  ;  but  later  on  these  guns  proved  very  embarrass 
ing  to  Daniels  and  the  other  brigades  of  the  enemy  advancing  along 
the  railroad. 

THE    IITH    CORPS    ON    THE    FIELD. 

General  Howard,  commanding  the  nth  Corps,  arrived  on  the 
field  about  eleven  o'clock,  and,  being  informed  of  Reynolds's  death, 
took  command,  turning  the  corps  over  to  General  Schurz.  Making 


'EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  125 

a  hasty  examination  of  the  positions,  he  approved  of  Doubleday's 
plan  of  defence,  and  ordered  Schurz  to  post  his  troops  on  the  right 
of  the  ist  Corps. 

Major  Thomas  W.  Osborn,  commanding  the  corps  artillery,  when 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  town,  received  notice  to  move  the  artillery 
to  the  front  as  soon  as  possible.  The  following  batteries  composed 
the  command :  G,  4th  United  States,  Lieutenant  Wilkeson,  six 
light  i2-pounders;  I,  ist  Ohio,  Captain  Dilger,  six  light  i2-pound- 
ers;  K,  ist  Ohio,  Captain  Heckman,  four  light  12  pounders;  I,  ist 
New  York,  Captain  Wiedrich,  six  3-inch  guns;  and  i3th  New  York, 
Lieutenant  Wheeler,  four  3  inch  guns.  Total,  twenty-six  guns. 
Dilger  reached  the  town  first,  and  was  ordered  by  Schurz  to  the  front 
and  300  yards  beyond  the  town,  where  he  at  once  became  engaged. 
The  fire  becoming  very  hot,  Wheeler  went  to  his  support,  both 
batteries  being  in  position  in  the  fields  between  the  Mummasburg 
and  Carlisle  roads.  These  batteries  first  engaged  Page's  battery, 
which,  suffering  heavily, — losing  thirty  men  and  seventeen  horses, — 
was  finally  succored  by  Carter  and  Reese.  This  combined  force 
proved  more  than  a  match  for  the  Unionists,  and  treated  them  to 
an  unmerciful  pelting  of  shot  and  shell. 

Wilkeson  arrived  about  eleven  o'clock,  going  into  battery  near 
the  poor-house  and  subsequently  advancing  to  Barlow's  Knoll.  At 
this  hour  Heckman  and  Wiedrich  were  in  reserve  on  Cemetery  Hill. 

THE    INFANTRY    ON    HAND. 

The  3d  Division,  commanded  by  General  Schimmelfennig,  reached 
the  town  after  twelve  o'clock,  Barlow's  ist  Division  next,  Steinwehr, 
with  the  2d  Division,  bringing  up  the  rear  and  going  into  position 
on  Cemetery  Hill.  When  Schurz  arrived,  Robinson's  division  was 
moving  by  the  flank  along  Oak  Ridge,,  and  Devin's  cavalry  was  de 
ployed  over  the  fields  to  'the  north  of  the  village,  skirmishing  with 
Blackford's  sharp-shooters. 

Howard  concluded  that  Cemetery  Ridge  was  the  only  tenable 
position  for  the  limited  force  present,  but,  unwilling  to  draw  his 
forces  back  without  a  fight,  because  of  the  harmful  effect  on  the  sol 
diers,  who  were  anxious  to  meet  the  enemy,  he,  as  a  temporary 
measure  to  relieve  the  increasing  pressure  on  the  ist  Corps,  ordered 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE 

his  ist  and  3d  Divisions  to  seize  Oak  Ridge.  The  occupation  of  the 
ridge  at  this  time  appeared  to  be  feasible,  no  considerable  Confed 
erate  force  being  visible  ;  but  in  reality  the  movement  was  imprac 
ticable,  as  Rodes's  division  was  already  in  possession,  the  thick 
woods  and  the  altitude  masking  its  movements. 

General  Schurz,  conforming  to  Howard's  plan,  directed  his  3d 
Division  to  form  in  two  lines  on  the  right  of  the  ist  Corps,  and  the 
ist  Division  to  the  right  of  the  3d  ;  then,  with  Dilger's  and  Wheeler's 
batteries  to  the  front,  he  advanced  towards  Oak  Ridge.  He  also 
requested  a  brigade  of  the  2d  Division  to  be  posted  in  reserve  at  the 
depot,  to  protect  his  right  flank ;  but  in  Schurz's  absence,  Barlow, 
eager  for  a  fight,  and  anxious  to  obtain  a  more  advanced  position, 
moved  his  division  to  the  hill  now  known  as  Barlow's  Knoll,  brush 
ing  Doles's  sharp-shooters  from  his  path.  At  that  moment  this  ap 
peared  to  be  the  correct  thing  to  do,  but  subsequent  developments 
proved  the  movement  to  have  been  an  error,  as  it  uncovered  his 
right  flank  to  Early's  attack  and  caused  the  3d  Division  to  make  a 
corresponding  advance  to  cover  Barlow's  left.  At  best,  the  corps 
presented  a  thin  and  broken  line,  too  feeble  to  resist  the  grand 
attack  that  was  presently  to  be  made  on  its  scattered  battalions. 

A    SURVEY    OF    THE    FIELD    BETWEEN    ONE    AND    TWO    O' CLOCK    P.M. 

The  general  positions  about  this  time  were  as  follows :  On  the 
Union  side,  Biddle's  brigade  was  on  the  extreme  left,  along  the 
Hagerstown  road,  trying  to  get  out  of  range  of  Carter's  and  Mcln- 
tosh's  guns,  Cooper's  battery  replying;  then  came  the  Iron  Brigade 
in  the  woods  and  Stone's  brigade  contiguous  to  the  Chambersburg 
pike,  Reynolds's  battery  in  their  rear,  Stewart's  battery  and  the  6th 
Wisconsin  at  the  cut,  Cutler's  brigade  in  the  woods  to  the  right, 
and  Baxter  prolonging  the  line  to  the  Mummasburg  road,  with  Paul 
in  support;  Stevens's  and  Hall's  batteries  and  the  15151  Pennsyl 
vania  near  the  Seminary.  The  nth  Corps  was  taking  ground  in 
this  way :  Dilger's  and  Wheeler's  batteries  to  the  right  of  the  Mum 
masburg  road,  exchanging  shots  with  Page  on  Oak  Hill ;  Amsberg's 
and  Kryzanowski's  brigades  coming  up  in  support  of  the  artillery, 
while  Barlow's  division — Gilsa's  brigade  in  advance,  Ames  in  sup 
port — was  pushing  out  beyond  the  poor-house  in  support  of  Wilke- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  127 

son's  battery,  which  was  carefully  feeling  for  the  enemy.  Steinwehr's 
division  was  approaching  the  town,  and  the  cavalry  was  on  the  flanks, 
Gamble  to  the  left,  Devin  on  the  right. 

Along  the  Confederate  line  the  remnants  of  Archer's  brigade  had 
been  got  together  and  posted  on  the  extreme  right,  along  the  Hagers- 
town  road  ;  then  came  Pettigrew,  Brockenbrough,  and  what  was  left 
of  Davis's  brigade,  this  brigade  prolonging  the  continuous  line  to 
the  railroad  grading.  Behind  Heth's  division,  Fender's  division  was 
coming  in,  Lane's  brigade  on  the  right  back  of  Archer,  Perrin  in 
rear  of  Pettigrew,  Scales  in  rear  of  Brockenbrough,  and  Thomas 
behind  Davis.  Anderson's  division  was  at  this  time  marching  in 
on  the  pike,  the  head  of  column  near  Marsh  Run.  Along  Heth's 
front  numerous  batteries  from  Pegram's  and  Macintosh's  artillery 
brigades  were  advantageously  posted,  of  which  more  anon.  Con 
necting  with  the  left  of  Heth  was  Rodes's  division,  Daniel's  brigade 
on  the  right,  Iverson  along  the  Mummasburg  road,  O'Neal  on  Oak 
Ridge,  Doles  near  the  Carlisle  road,  and  Ramseur  in  reserve.  East 
of  Rock  Creek,  Early  was  forming  along  the  Harrisburg  road,  Gor 
don's  brigade  on  the  right,  Hays  in  the  centre,  Hoke  on  the  left, 
and  Smith  in  reserve.  Jones's  battalion  of  artillery  was  on  the  left 
of  the  road,  exchanging  shots  with  Wilkeson's  nth  Corps  battery. 

POSITIONS    OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    BATTERIES. 

The  batteries  on  Hill's  line  were  ably  commanded  by  Colonel 
Walker,  chief  of  corps  artillery,  and,  owing  to  their  excellent  posi 
tion  and  superior  weight  of  metal,  made  it  very  uncomfortable  for 
the  Federal  artillery,  it  being  impossible  for  any  advanced  Union 
battery  to  remain  long  in  one  position.  These  batteries  were  located 
about  as  follows :  Wallace's  3-inch  rifles  on  the  right,  back  of  the 
springs,  then  Rice's  Napoleons,  Marye's  battery,  and  the  Whitworths 
near  the  road.  North  of  the  road  were  McGraw's,  Crenshaw's, 
Maurin's  (six  3-inch  rifles),  and  Brander's  on  a  hill  east  of  the  run. 
There  were  several  batteries  in  reserve  because  they  could  not  get  in 
line,  but  subsequently  Johnson  and  Hurt  went  into  action  near  the 
Hagerstown  road.  These  batteries  comprised  upward  of  fifty  guns. 
Carter's  batteries  were  posted  on  Oak  Ridge :  Captain  Carter,  with 
two  lo-pounders  and  two  i2-pounders,  on  the  right;  then  Fry's  two 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE 

lo-pounders  and  two  3  inch  rifles,  firing  on  the  ist  Corps ;  and  Page, 
with  four  i2-pounders,  contesting  with  the  nth  Corps,  soon  re-en 
forced  by  Reese's  four  3-inch  rifles,  these  two  batteries  being  planted 
on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  ridge. 

Early's  batteries  east  of  Rock  Creek  were  in  action  south  of  the 
road:  Garber's  four  12  pounders  on  the  right,  Green's  two  10- 
pounders  and  two  3-inch  rifles  in  the  centre,  and  Tanner,  with  four 
3-inch  rifles,  on  the  left.  About  eighty  guns  were  engaged  on  the 
Confederate  and  sixty  on  the  Federal  side,  including  Calef's,  Heck- 
man's,  and  Wiedrich's  batteries,  the  last  in  position  on  Cemetery 
Hill. 

HETH    TO    THE    ATTACK. 

After  a  furious  cannonade,  about  two  o'clock  P.M.  Heth  pushed 
his  division  over  Willoughby  Run  to  the  attack,  Fender  in  close 
support  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  disaster  happening  to  Archer 
and  Davis.  Pettigrew's  strong  brigade,  numbering  about  2500  men, 
really  sustained  the  brunt  of  the  fight  for  some  time.  These  troops 
moved  forward  in  good  shape  and  in  quick  time,  their  left — the  nth 
and  26th  North  Carolina  regiments — entering  the  woods  and  running 
against  the  Iron  Brigade,  the  other  regiments  to  their  right  receiving 
the  fire  of  Cooper's  battery  and  Biddle's  brigade. 

The  Iron  Brigade  was  composed  of  stubborn  fighters,  but  the 
rebel  line  flanked  the  iQth  Indiana,  forcing  it  back  and  exposing 
the  left  of  the  24th  Michigan,  which  changed  front  under  a  wither 
ing  fire  to  face  the  Confederates;  the  result  was  that  both  regiments 
were  pressed  back,  forming  a  short  distance  in  the  rear.  Major 
Jones,  commanding  Pettigrew's  brigade,  says  he  broke  two  lines, 
but  these  broken  lines — not  fresh  troops,  but  the  same  regiments — 
rallied  in  the  rear. 

While  the  left  of  Pettigrew's  command  was  gradually  forcing  the 
flank  of  the  Iron  Brigade  back,  his  right  regiments  attacked  Biddle's 
brigade  in  the  fields.  Biddle  had  placed  the  i2ist  Pennsylvania  on 
the  left,  not  reaching  the  Hagerstown  road,  then  the  Both  New  York 
and  i42d  Pennsylvania,  with  Cooper's  battery  between  the  last  two 
regiments.  The  i2ist  Pennsylvania  formed  the  extreme  left  of  the 
ist  Corps  infantry,  the  brigade  being  well  posted  on  the  crest,  and 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  129 

when  Pettigrew  advanced  against  these  troops  they  confidently 
awaited  the  attack,  feeling  able  to  repel  any  direct  assault  against 
their  front.  Colonel  Gates,  of  the  8oth  New  York,  had  sent  two 
of  his  companies  to  occupy  a  house  and  barn  west  of  the  run,  which 
post  they  held  until  nearly  surrounded,  when  they  escaped  through 
a  ravine  and  rejoined  the  regiment  on  Cemetery  Hill.  As  the  Con 
federates  marched  up  the  hill,  Cooper's  guns  opened  fiercely  on 
them,  and  when  their  faces  appeared  above  the  crest  they  received 
the  infantry  fire,  which  checked  their  line;  but  the  52d  and  47th 
North  Carolina,  swinging  around,  flanked  Biddle,  pouring  in  a  raking 
fire  which  crumbled  his  line  to  pieces.  In  face  of  this  withering 
enfilade  that  took  them  in  the  left  and  was  working  to  their  rear, 
Biddle's  men  tried  to  change  front  to  the  left,  and  though  in  the 
noise  and  confusion  it  was  impossible  to  successfully  execute  the 
movement,  still,  the  left  was  refused  and  the  Carolinians  held  in 
check  for  some  time.  About  the  time  Pettigrew's  right  was  in  con 
tact  with  Biddle  and  the  Iron  Brigade,  forcing  them  both  slowly 
back,  the  15151  Pennsylvania  was  ordered  up  to  fill  a  gap  between 
the  brigades.  This  was  the  only  regiment  that  Doubleday  had  in 
reserve,  and  when  it  went  in  there  was  not  a  battalion  on  the  field 
but  what  was  in  the  front  line. 

The  15151  was  posted  partly  in  the  field  and  partly  in  the  woods, 
connecting  with  the  left  of  the  Iron  Brigade  and  facing  the  26th 
North  Carolina.  Colonel  McFarland,  of  the  15151  Pennsylvania, 
had  cautioned  his  men  against  random  firing,  directing  each  man 
to  take  deliberate  aim  at  the  enemy,  and  in  the  hour  of  close  and 
deadly  fighting  that  followed  this  was  strictly  observed.  The  com 
manding  officer  of  the  26th  North  Carolina  says  that  the  fighting 
on  this  line  was  terrible, — 

our  men  advancing,  the  enemy  stubbornly  resisting,  until  the  two  lines  were 
pouring  volleys  into  each  other  at  a  distance  not  greater  than  twenty  paces.  At 
las>t  the  enemy  were  compelled  to  give  way.  They  again  made  a  stand  in  the 
woods,  and  the  tnird  time  they  were  driven  from  their  position. 

To  fully  comprehend  the  tenacious  stand  made  by  the  Union  sol 
diers,  reference  is  made  to  Heth's  report,  which  says, — 

9 


130  HISTORY  OF   THE 

When  the  26th  North  Carolina  encountered  the  second  line  of  the  enemy,  his 
dead  marked  his  line  of  battle  with  the  accuracy  of  a  line  at  dress  parade. 

In  this  murderous  impact  against  the  left  of  the  Iron  Brigade  and 
the  right  of  Biddle's  brigade  the  26th  North  Carolina  lost  more  than 
half  of  its  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  including  nearly  every  officer 
and  eleven  men  carrying  the  colors.  This  frightful  loss  may  be  best 
realized  when  it  is  known  that  this  regiment  carried  into  action  over 
800  men.  Its  total  loss  at  Gettysburg  was  588,  only  216  escaping 
unharmed,  and  of  these  there  were  but  eighty  left  for  duty  on  July  4. 
Though  this  command  suffered  so  severely,  the  regiments  it  fought 
fared  almost  as  badly.  The  24th  Michigan  went  into  battle  with  496 
men,  and  lost  363.  The  15151  Pennsylvania  numbered  467,  and 
lost  337. 

In  the  mean  time,  Brockenbrough's  Virginians  had  continued  the 
advance,  the  left  of  their  line  nearly  reaching  the  Chambersburg 
pike ;  but  they  could  make  no  impression  on  the  right  regiments  of 
the  Iron  Brigade  in  the  woods  and  the  isoth  Pennsylvania  near 
McPherson's  barn  unlit  the  Federal  flanks  were  turned,  when  they 
advanced  with  better  results.  Finally,  after  nearly  two  hours'  per 
sistent  and  deadly  fighting,  the  Union  left  was  gradually  forced 
back  until  a  final  stand  was  made  in  the  woods  near  the  Seminary. 
It  was  about  four  o'clock  when  the  broken  lines  rallied  at  the  west 
ern  edge  of  the  grove,  and,  notwithstanding  their  appalling  losses, 
prepared  to  dispute  the  farther  advance  of  the  enemy. 

THE    FIGHT   ON   THE   CHAMBERSBURG    ROAD. 

The  Bucktail  Brigade,  consisting  of  the  i43d,  i49th,  and  I5oth 
Pennsylvania,  defended  the  position  around  the  McPherson  build 
ings  and  as  far  as  the  railroad  cut ;  behind  them  Reynolds's  battery, 
divided  into  two  sections,  was  posted.  The  line  first  formed  a  right 
angle  facing  north  and  west,  the  I5oth  and  i43d  to  the  left  of  the 
road,  extending  nearly  to  the  Iron  Brigade  in  the  woods,  the  1491!! 
in  the  road,  facing  north.  This  line  was  maintained  until  Brander's 
battery  opened  on  the  apex  and  Rodes  enfiladed  the  right  from  Oak 
Ridge,  causing  Cutler  to  retire  to  the  cover  of  the  woods  on 
Seminary  Ridge. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  131 

When  Cutler  fell  back,  Stone  moved  the  I43d,  under  a  hot  fire, 
to  the  right  of  the  i49th,  protecting  his  flank  and  prolonging  the 
line   to   the  rear  along  the   pike.     Colonel  Stone  says  the   grand 
advance  of  the  enemy  began  about  1.30  P.M.     "I  traced  their  for 
mation  for  at  least  two  miles,  a  nearly  continuous  line  of  deployed 
battalions,  with  other  battalions  in  mass  in  reserve."     These  were 
Rodes's  troops,  coming  from  Oak  Ridge,  and  the  left  of    Heth's 
and  Fender's  divisions  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chambersburg  pike. 
Daniels's  brigade  of  North  Carolinians  marched  direct  for  Stone's 
men  in  the  angle  of  our  line.     On  June  30,  Daniels  had   2565   men 
present,  and  to  meet  these  Stone  had  in  his  three  regiments  1312 
men.     Besides  Daniels's  well-sustained  attack,  he  had  to  resist  the 
intermittent  assaults  of   Davis    and    Brockenbrough,  who  charged 
occasionally,  seeking  a  vulnerable  place  in  his  lines.     Daniels  first 
moved  the  2d  and  45th  North  Carolina  against  the  cut  occupied  by 
the  149th  Pennsylvania,  then  he  directed  the  43d  and  53d   North 
Carolina  to  the  left  and  the  32d  to  the  right  to  flank  the  cut  and 
take  the  barn,  and  when  the  bucktails  and  tar-heels  met,  then  came 
the  tug  of  war.      Colonel  Dvvight  planted  his  colors  twenty  paces  on 
the  left,  his  men  being  deployed  in  the  cut  in  single  line,  their  arms 
resting  on  the  bank,  with  orders  to  fire  at  their  opponents'  knees. 
Dwight  reports, — 

My  position  was  undiscovered  by  the  enemy  until  he  reached  a  fence  twenty- 
two  paces  in  my  front,  when  he  saw  my  colors  flying,  directing  his  fire  on  them, 
my  regiment  not  suffering  therefrom,  as  it  was  directed  at  the  colors.  I  now  fired 
by  battalion  ;  its  effect  on  the  enemy  was  terrible,  he  being  brigade  en  masse  at 
nine  paces  interval. 

This  telling  volley  broke  the  Confederate  line,  but  with  indomitable 
pluck  they  again  marched  up  and  made  another  desperate  assault  on 
the  cut;  the  defenders,  however,  reserving  their  fire  as  before,  again 
hurled  them  back.  But  the  1491!!  was  finally  forced  from  the  cut 
by  the  fire  of  a  battery  in  an  orchard  about  half  a  mile  away  and 
by  that  of  the  32d  North  Carolina,  which,  crossing  the  cut,  flanked 
the  line.  In  falling  back  the  i49th  was  forced  to  leave  its  colors, 
and  it  may  be  interesting  to  relate  a  Confederate  account  of  the 
capture  of  a  flag,  supposed  to  be  this  one,  by  Captain  W.  R.  Bond, 
of  Daniels's  brigade.  He  says, — 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE 

A  Federal  regiment  had  its  colors  and  guard  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  its 
line.  These  colors  Sergeant  Price,  of  the  42d  Mississippi,  and  half  a  dozen  of 
his  comrades  determined  to  capture.  Moving  on  hands  and  knees  till  they  had 
nearly  reached  the  desired  object,  they  suddenly  rose,  charged  and  overcame  the 
guard,  captured  the  flag,  and  were  rapidly  making  off  with  it  when  its  owners 
fired  upon  them ;  all  were  struck  down  but  the  sergeant,  and  as  he  was  making 
off,  a  young  staff  officer  of  my  command,  having  carried  a  message  to  Heth,  was 
returning  by  a  short  cut,  and  seeing  a  man  with  the  stars  and  stripes,  without 
noticing  his  uniform,  thought  he,  too,  would  capture  the  flag.  Dismounting 
among  the  dead  and  wounded,  he  picked  up  and  fired  several  muskets  at  Price, 
but  missed  him. 

Daniels,  finding  it  impossible  to  cross  the  cut  at  this  point,  ordered 
the  45th  and  2d  back  some  forty  paces  to  a  hill  which  afforded  some 
shelter,  and  from  this  position  kept  up  a  lively  fusillade.  He  then, 
after  a  close  examination  of  the  field,  pushed  the  32d  across  the 
grading,  "  in  front  of  some  troops  of  Hill's  corps  (Davis's  brigade) 
who  were  lying  down  in  line  of  battle,  but  would  not  advance." 

Colonel  Brabble,  commanding  the  32d,  reports, — 

About  four  o'clock  [?]  advanced  and  met  the  enemy  near  a  railroad  cut,  the 
right  supported  by  a  regiment  of  Davis's  brigade.  Beyond  the  cut  was  a  large 
stone  barn  [McPherson's].  Upon  a  hill  between  us  and  the  town  was  a  battery 
which  commanded  our  front.  The  brigade  made  an  advance  to  dislodge  him  from 
the  barn,  but  the  cut  was  too  difficult  to  cross,  and  the  32d  fell  back.  After  a  short 
time  this  regiment  charged  up  to  the  barn,  but,  being  unsupported,  fell  back  again. 

Daniels  had  been  brought  up  with  a  short  turn  ;  he  could  go  no 
farther.  At  this  critical  moment  Fender's  fresh  division  went  into 
action  over  Heth's  exhausted  men,  and  Daniels  taking  up  the 
advance,  his  men,  with  a  chorus  of  terrific  yells,  rushed  again  upon 
the  Pennsylvanians  and  drove  them  back.  The  impact  of  Fender's 
6000  or  7000  well-rested  soldiers,  in  conjunction  with  Daniels's  vet 
erans,  was  too  much  for  the  worn-out  Federals  in  that  vicinity,  and 
they  were  glad  to  get  away. 

In  the  defence  of  this  point,  Reynolds's,  Cooper's,  and  Calef's 
batteries  played  a  very  important  part.  The  cannoneers  stood  man 
fully  by  their  guns,  and  when  one  place  got  too  hot  they  took  up 
another  less  exposed  position,  pelting  the  Confederates  with  a  fire 
that  seriously  retarded  their  progress.  Colonel  Stone  was  wounded, 
and  his  successor,  Colonel  Wister,  says  of  this  stage  of  the  battle, — 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  133 

Under  a  furious  musketry  fire,  the  enemy  began  another  advance,  mainly  against 
the  I49th  and  I43d.  To  meet  this  attack  from  the  north,  I  divided  the  I5oth 
into  two  wings,  the  right  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Huidekoper,  the  left  under 
Major  Chamberlain.  The  right  wing  changed  front  forward  on  first  company 
facing  the  cut,  and  behind  a  fence  waited  the  rebel  charge  on  the  flank  of  the 
I43d  and  I49th,  which  had  repulsed  a  front  attack.  At  a  distance  of  fifty  yards 
a  staggering  volley  was  poured  into  the  rebels,  followed  by  a  charge  of  the  I49th 
and  this  wing  of  the  I5oth,  the  colors  of  the  I49th  being  recaptured.  The  line 
then  fell  back  to  its  former  position,  and  the  fire  from  the  left  increasing,  the  right 
wing  changed  front  to  rear  to  meet  this  new  attack. 

Colonel  Dana,  of  the  1430!,  assumed  command  after  Wister  was 
wounded.  He  officially  reports, — 

The  brigade  went  into  position  about  eleven  A.M.  and  fought  until  about  four, 
when  the  loss  among  officers  and  men  made  it  necessary,  to  avoid  capture,  to 
retreat.  Facing  to  the  rear,  the  line  was  withdrawn  in  good  order  some  distance, 
where  it  halted  and  fired.  Moving  thence  to  a  peach-orchard,  the  brigade  again 
halted  and,  with  some  artillery,  the  fire  was  renewed. 

The  result  of  this  desperate  contest  was  that  Daniels  lost  about 
one-third  of  his  men  and  Stone's  brigade  was  almost  annihilated, 
losing  two-thirds  of  its  number  in  this  and  the  subsequent  stand  near 
the  Seminary. 

RODES'S    DESCENT    ON    ROBINSON. 

Leaving  the  left  of  the  ist  Corps  falling  slowly  back  to  the  Semi 
nary,  we  will  cross  the  cut  and  observe  the  tug  of  war  between 
Rodes  and  Robinson.  We  have  noted  the  arrival  of  Rodes  and 
seen  him  advancing  on  the  right  of  the  ist  Corps ;  he  justly  con 
gratulated  himself  on  surprising  his  opponents,  as  he  could  see  no 
troops  facing  him,  and  but  a  desultory  artillery  fire  was  in  progress 
between  Heth  and  the  Union  left;  but  before  he  could  attack,  Rob 
inson  appeared  on  his  front  and  the  nth  Corps  moved  up  from  the 
town,  Robinson  taking  the  very  ground  he  had  intended  to  occupy. 
Being  thus  threatened  in  two  directions,  Rodes  resolved  to  hold  the 
nth  Corps  with  Doles's  brigade  until  Early  could  assist,  and  to 
crush  Robinson  with  his  other  three  brigades.  Taking  Baxter's 
advance  as  a  menace,  he  determined  to  settle  him  by  assailing  him 
on  the  right  with  O'Neal's  brigade,  while  Iverson  attacked  in  front, 
Ramseur  in  close  support. 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE 

O'Neal  promptly  advanced  in  the  following  order:  the  6th,  i2th, 
and  26th  in  line,  the  3d  moving  to  the  right  and  the  5th  to  the  left. 
Iverson  formed  his  North  Carolinians  to  the  right  of  O'Neal's  Ala- 
bamians,  near  the  Mummasburg  road,  the  i2th  first,  then  the  23d, 
2oth,  and  5th  Regiments  in  the  order  named.,  his  left  reaching  the 
road,  but  leaving  a  considerable  space  to  O'Neal's  right.  Rodes 
purposed  that  the  attack  should  be  simultaneous,  but,  happily  for 
Baxter,  this  part  of  the  program  miscarried.  Baxter  says  that  he 
carried  into  action  less  than  1200  men,  and  Paul  had  about  1300. 
Opposed  to  these,  O'Neal  was  swinging  around  on  his  right  with 
1800,  Iverson  on  his  front  with  1500,  and  Ramseur  in  reserve  with 
about  1200  more.  If  this  blow  had  been  delivered  as  intended,  it 
is  safe  to  say  that  Robinson's  retreat  would  have  been  forced  in  short 
order.  But  O'Neal  had  many  difficulties  to  overcome;  marching 
over  the  hill,  through  the  brush,  over  fences  and  rocks,  and,  being 
in  the  advance,  he  came  in  collision  with  Baxter  before  Iverson  came 
up.  To  meet  O'Neal,  Baxter  changed  front  to  right,  forming  along 
the  road  and  presenting  a  firm  front.  His  men  received  the  enemy 
courageously,  and  the  result  was,  to  quote  Rodes's  words,  "that  the 
whole  brigade  was  repulsed  quickly  and  with  loss." 

O'Neal  reports, — 

They  found  the  enemy  strongly  posted,  and  after  a  desperate  and  bloody  fight 
of  about  half  an  hour  were  compelled  to  fall  back. 

Colonel  Pickens,  of  the  i2th,  says  that  they  were  engaged  about 
fifteen  minutes,  and  were  flanked  and  in  danger  of  being  surrounded, 
so  they  had  to  get  out.  This  flank  fire  came  largely  from  the  45th 
New  York  and  Dilger's  battery,  of  the  nth  Corps.  O'Neal's  sol 
diers  hurriedly  made  for  the  rear,  and  were  with  difficulty  rallied 
beyond  the  range  of  the  Union  fire. 

O'Neal  had  scarcely  gone  when  Baxter  saw  Iverson's  Confederates 
menacing  his  left  and  rear,  and  to  meet  this  attack  he  changed  front 
to  the  left,  moving  up  to  the  crest  of  the  hill  behind  a  low  stone 
wall,  and  there  waited  until  the  enemy  got  within  range. 

Those  who  have  observed  this  point  will  remember  that  back  of 
the  position  which  Baxter  occupied  there  is  quite  a  descent,  but  in 
front  of  it  the  ground  is  nearly  level,  and  over  this  plateau  Iverson's 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  135 

brigade  was  advancing.  Baxter's  regiments  behind  the  wall  were 
posted  in  this  order  :  the  goth  Pennsylvania  on  the  right,  the  right 
battalion  refused  along  the  Mummasburg  road,  the  colors  in  the 
point  of  the  angle;  then  the  i2th  Massachusetts,  88th  Pennsylvania, 
9th  New  York,  94th  New  York,  and  nth  Pennsylvania.  To  the 
left  of  Baxter's  line  some  of  Paul's  and  Cutler's  regiments  came 
forward  to  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  opened  a  savage  fire  on  Iver- 
son's  right.  Iverson  had  halted  while  Carter's  guns  shelled  the 
Union  position,  hence  the  delay  in  moving  at  the  same  time  as 
O'Neal.  This  done,  he  received  orders  to  "advance  to  meet  the 
enemy  who  are  approaching  to  take  the  battery."  Before  he  got 
fairly  in  motion,  O'Neal  had  been  repulsed,  consequently  Baxter 
had  abundant  opportunity  to  receive  him  with  the  best  he  had  in  the 
shop.  Expecting  to  be  fully  supported,  Iverson  confidently  marched 
to  the  attack  with  a  line  as  straight  as  if  on  parade,  apparently  un 
aware  of  the  hostile  troops  crouching  in  the  shadow  of  the  low  stone 
wall  in  his  front. 

When  the  Carolinians  were  about  100  paces  distant,  Baxter's  men 
arose  and  poured  a  withering  fire  into  their  faces  with  terrible  effect. 
Hundreds  of  the  Confederates  fell  at  the  first  volley,  plainly  marking 
their  line  with  a  ghastly  row  of  dead  and  wounded  men,  whose 
blood  trailed  the  course  of  their  line  with  a  crimson  stain  clearly 
discernible  for  several  days  after  the  battle,  until  the  rain  washed 
the  gory  record  away.  Those  who  were  uninjured  broke  to  the  rear, 
taking  refuge  from  the  pitiless  storm  in  a  little  gully  or  depression 
about  200  paces  from  the  Union  line. 

A  deadly  duel  at  once  began  between  the  opposing  lines,  until 
Iverson's  men,  seeing  that  they  were  left  to  their  fate,  lost  heart  and 
evinced  a  disposition  to  surrender.  Just  at  this  time  Baxter,  riding 
behind  his  brigade,  ordered  his  men  to  give  them  the  cold  steel ;  his 
soldiers  promptly  responded,  and,  led  by  the  88th  Pennsylvania, 
the  entire  line,  facing  in  this  direction,  made  a  rush  for  Iverson's 
men  in  the  gully.  This  charge  resulted  in  the  capture  of  nearly  all 
of  the  5th,  2oth,  and  23d  North  Carolina,  the  88th  Pennsylvania 
taking  in  the  23d,  colors  and  all,  and  the  flag  of  another  regiment ; 
the  97th  New  York  captured  the  2oth  and  its  flag,  but  this  standard 
was  retaken  by  Daniels  later  in  the  day,  its  captor  staying  too 


136  HISTORY  OF   THE 

long  to  show  his  prize,  and  when  he  got  ready  to  go  to  the  town 
he  ran  into   Daniels's  men,  who  kindly  and  promptly  relieved  him 
from  any  further  responsibility  for  that  flag. 
Iverson  says  of  this  affair, — 

Colonel  O'Neal  having  been  instantaneously  driven  back  on  my  left,  upon  which 
the  enemy  charged  in  overwhelming  force  upon  and  captured  nearly  all  that  were 
left  of  my  brigade.  When  I  saw  handkerchiefs  raised  and  my  line  still  lying 
down,  I  characterized  the  surrender  as  disgraceful;  but  when  I  found  that  500 
of  my  men  were  lying  dead  and  wounded  on  a  line  as  straight  as  a  dress  parade, 
I  exonerated  the  survivors.  I  endeavored,  during  the  confusion  among  the  enemy 
incident  to  the  capture  of  my  men,  to  charge  them  with  the  I2th  North  Carolina 
and  3d  Alabama,  but  in  the  noise  and  excitement  my  voice  could  not  be  heard. 

General  Ewell  says, — 

The  unfortunate  mistake  of  Iverson  at  this  critical  juncture,  in  sending  word  to 
Rodes  that  one  of  his  regiments  had  raised  the  white  flag  and  gone  over  to  the 
enemy,  might  have  produced  the  most  disastrous  consequences. 

The  survivors  of  Iverson's  command  fell  back  in  great  disorder,  but 
were  rallied  and  placed  with  Ramseur's  brigade,  where  they  fought 
creditably  until  the  day  was  decided.  General  Robinson  claims  to 
have  taken  1000  prisoners;  but  Iverson  reports  a  total  loss  of  820, 
of  which  only  308  were  missing.  These  last  figures  are  evidently 
too  low,  as  the  official  report  of  the  97th  New  York  gives  213  of  the 
2oth  North  Carolina  as  captured  by  it,  and  the  other  regiments  en 
gaged  in  the  charge  all  report  large  numbers  taken,  but  it  is  likely 
that  many  of  these  subsequently  escaped.  After  the  charge,  Baxter 
fell  back  to  the  fence,  and,  being  out  of  ammunition,  Paul  relieved 
him. 

General  Rodes  was  intensely  disgusted  at  the  disastrous  result  of 
this  move,  and  though  he  had  lost  over  1000  of  his  best  troops,  he 
quickly  formed  his  broken  lines  and,  with  Ramseur's  fresh  brigade 
in  place  of  Iverson's,  and  O'Neal  coming  down  the  ridge,  promptly 
came  to  the  front  once  more.  To  meet  this  new  attack  Paul's  bri 
gade  formed  on  the  hill  a  little  in  rear  of  Baxter's  first  position, 
the  1 3th  Massachusetts  on  the  right,  posted  on  the  slope  facing  the 
Mummasburg  road,  then  the  io4th  New  York,  i6th  Maine,  loyth 
Pennsylvania,  and  94th  New  York  on  the  left.  While  this  line 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  137 

obliqued  somewhat  down  the  hill,  the  locations  given  above  are 
nearly  correct ;  still,  there  were  many  changes  in  the  surging  line, 
some  of  the  regiments  charging  to  and  across  the  road  in  a  vain 
effort  to  shake  off  Rodes's  grip. 


THE    1ST    CORPS    AT    FOUR    O'CLOCK. 

It  was  near  four  o'clock,  and  the  ist  Corps  had  been  forced  back 
to  the  vicinity  of  the  Seminary  woods,  having  lost  about  2500  men 
killed  and  wounded,  but  up  to  this  time  few  had  been  captured. 
Not  counting  the  cavalry,  it  is  estimated  that  scarcely  2500  men 
formed  the  ragged  line  of  blue  that  rallied  along  the  edge  of  the 
woods  when  the  last  grand  rebel  advance  swept  the  ground.  Many 
had  carried  their  wounded  comrades  to  the  rear,  some  had  straggled, 
and  others  had  been  detailed  for  various  purposes,  thus  sensibly 
diminishing  the  fighting  strength  of  the  corps.  But  the  Confeder 
ates  had  suffered  more  than  their  opponents,  Heth  having  lost  over 
2000  men,  most  of  his  brigades  being  completely  used  up;  Rodes's 
division  had  also  lost  heavily  (more  than  1500  men),  the  Confeder 
ates  paying  dearly  for  every  foot  of  ground  gained. 

General  Ewell  was  seriously  impressed  with  the  situation.  He 
says,— 

All  of  Rodes's  troops  were  now  engaged.  The  enemy  was  moving  large  bodies 
of  troops  from  the  town  against  my  left,  and  affairs  were  in  a  very  critical  condi 
tion,  when  Early,  coming  up  on  the  Heidlersburg  road,  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon 
large  columns  moving  against  Doles'  left,  and  ordered  up  Gordon,  etc. 

Indeed,  if  Early  had  not  arrived  at  this  opportune  time  for  the 
Confederates,  the  result  of  the  first  day  at  Gettysburg  might  have 
been  very  different.  Up  to  this  hour  15,000  Confederates  had  failed 
to  drive  the  9000  soldiers  of  the  ist  Corps  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
mile,  though  they  had  attacked  with  much  spirit  and  maintained  the 
assault  with  the  greatest  pertinacity;  but  if  the  three  divisions  of 
Heth,  Rodes,  and  Fender  had  made  a  united  advance  any  time  after 
one  o'clock  they  would  have  overwhelmed  the  ist  Corps  and  liter 
ally  swept  it  before  them. 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE 

ARRIVAL    OF    GENERAL    LEE. 

General  Lee,  accompanied  by  General  Pendleton,  chief  of  artil 
lery,  arrived  near  the  crest  of  an  eminence  about  two  o'clock,  and, 
dismounting,  took  a  position  overlooking  the  field.  The  battle  was 
raging  fiercely:  Carter's  and  Jones's  batteries  were  at  that  time 
vigorously  playing  on  the  Union  line  that  had  been  pressing  Hill's 
corps,  and  when  the  Federal  guns  were  turned  upon  their  new 
assailants,  they  were  enfiladed  by  the  battalions  of  Mclntosh  and 
Pegram,  posted  in  front  of  Lee  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road. 
Lee  suggested  posting  batteries  on  the  right  to  enfilade  the  valley 
between  the  Union  line  and  the  town  and  the  Union  artillery  next 
to  the  town.  Ten  batteries  (including  Johnson's  and  Hurt's)  and 
Garnett's  and  Poague's  battalions  were  hurried  towards  the  desired 
position  ;  but  the  infantry  supports  not  being  thought  strong  enough, 
action  was  suspended  until  the  Union  line  had  fallen  back.  If  this 
strong  force  of  artillery  had  taken  position  at  this  point,  south  of 
the  Hagerstown  road,  earlier  in  the  day,  it  would  have  raked  the 
valley  in  rear  of  the  Union  line  with  a  fire  under  which  every  living 
thing  would  have  perished. 

EARLY  ATTACKS  THE  IITH  CORPS. 

The  head  of  Early's  column  arrived  and  formed  line  east  of  Rock 
Creek  about  one  P.M.  Gordon's  Georgia  brigade,  the  6oth  Regi 
ment  in  advance,  then  the  3151,  i3th,  6ist,  and  38th,  in  the  order 
named,  the  26th  in  the  rear,  formed  on  the  right,  above  the  bridge  ; 
Hays's  Louisiana  brigade,  the  5th,  6th,  and  Qth  Regiments  taking 
position  on  the  right  of  the  road,  the  yth  and  8th  to  the  left ;  Hoke's 
(Avery's)  North  Carolina  brigade  formed  on  the  left  of  Hays,  the 
6th  on  the  right,  2ist  in  the  centre,  and  57th  on  the  left.  Smith's 
brigade  was  supporting  the  artillery,  but,  not  sustaining  any  loss,  may 
be  considered  out  of  the  first  day's  fight. 

When  he  had  his  command  well  in  hand,  Early  moved  forward, 
Gordon  on  the  lead,  crossed  the  creek  above  the  bridge,  and  with 
an  unearthly  chorus  of  savage  yells,  the  rebels  went  straight  for 
Gilsa's  brigade,  deployed  on  the  banks  of  the  creek  and  on  the  hill. 
They  were  just  in  time,  as  Ames  and  Amsberg  were  flanking  Doles, 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  139 

who  was  stoutly  contesting  the  ground,  biding  his  time  until  Early 
should  burst  like  an  avalanche  on  the  flank  of  his  assailants.  Doles 
had  posted  his  1400  Georgians  in  a  good  position,  well  supported  by 
Rodes's  cannon  on  Oak  Hill,  his  front  covered  by  Blackford's  sharp 
shooters,  and  successfully  parried  every  thrust  of  his  opponents  until 
Early  came  bravely  to  the  rescue. 

POSITIONS    OF    THE    I ITH    CORPS. 

Gilsa's  brigade  faced  Gordon,  on  the  outer  slope  of  Barlow's 
(Blocher's)  Knoll,  the  54th  and  68th  New  York  stretched  along  the 
banks  of  the  creek,  the  i53d  Pennsylvania  on  the  hill;  the  4ist 
New  York  was  absent  on  a  scout.  Ames  was  formed  somewhat  en 
echelon  in  rear  of  Gilsa,  and  was  aiming  to  strike  Doles's  left  flank. 
The  brigade  was  formed  with  the  iyth  Connecticut  on  the  right, 
then  the  25th,  75th,  and  loyth  Ohio;  but  four  companies  of  the 
i  yth  were  skirmishing  near  the  railroad  bridge,  and  most  of  the 
75th  were  away  on  a  reconnoissance.  VVilkeson's  battery  assisted 
Barlow  in  defence  of  the  position  ;  but  Wilkeson  met  a  soldier's 
death  early  in  the  action,  the  command  devolving  on  Lieutenant 
Bancroft,  who,  with  Lieutenant  Merkle,  skilfully  handled  the  guns 
until  the  retreat.  Kryzanowski's  brigade  prolonged  the  line  to  the 
Carlisle  road,  two  companies  of  the  58th  New  York  on  the  right, 
then  the  26th  Wisconsin,  75th  Pennsylvania,  82d  Ohio,  and  iigth 
New  York.  Amsberg  extended  the  line,  supporting  Dilger's  and 
Wheeler's  batteries,  towards  the  Mummasburg  road,  the  45th  New 
York  and  6ist  Ohio  skirmishing,  the  15 7th  New  York,  82d  Illinois, 
and  74th  Pennsylvania  in  line. 

A    CONFEDERATE    VIEW    OF    THE    I1TH    CORPS    LINE. 

Colonel  Swallow,  of  Early's  division,  says  he  reached  Rodes  about  one  P.M., 
and  could  see  the  two  divisions  of  Howard's  corps  getting  into  position.  They 
seemed  greatly  scattered.  The  division  in  front  of  Rodes  seemed  to  stand  alone 
and  totally  unconnected  with  Reynolds's  right,  there  being  a  wide  space,  extend 
ing  through  the  line  of  battle  to  the  Union  rear.  The  Federals  in  front  of  Early 
were  in  the  same  order,  standing  alone,  not  connecting  with  the  other  division. 
Some  Confederates  who  had  been  captured  by  Reynolds  about  noon  had  been 
recaptured.  Rodes  was  informed  by  them  that  Heth  and  Fender  were  in  the 
Union  front.  He  at  once  sent  a  courier  to  Heth,  requesting  him  to  press  the 


MO  HISTORY  OF   THE 

enemy  vigorously,  and  sent  this  message  to  Early :  "  Heth  and  Fender  are  in 
Reynolds's  front.  I  can  burst  through  the  enemy  in  an  hour."  Early  replied, 
"All  right;  hurst  through."  It  was  now  nearly  two  o'clock,  and  when  Swallow 
told  Early  that  Howard's  corps  was  in  his  front,  he  laughed  and  said,  "  Why,  these 
are  the  very  same  chaps  that  our  fellows  routed  at  Chancellorsville."  Early  now 
began  to  press  the  enemy,  and  from  signs  not  to  be  mistaken  by  a  soldier,  was 
satisfied  that  the  utter  defeat  of  the  enemy  was  certain. 

DEFEAT    OF    BARLOW'S    DIVISION. 

We  left  Doles  in  a  critical  position,  with  a  brigade  of  the  nth 
Corps  menacing  either  flank ;  but  Gordon's  attack  relieved  Doles, 
who  then  advanced,  taking  the  hill  at  "  3.30  P.M." 

But  to  return  to  Early's  march.      He  reports, — 

Gordon,  about  three  P.M.,  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  Dole,  who  was  being 
pressed  by  the  enemy ;  and  as  soon  as  Gordon  was  fairly  engaged,  Hays  and 
Hoke  were  ordered  forward,  the  artillery,  supported  by  Smith,  to  follow. 

Gordon  says, — 

The  enemy  had  succeeded  in  gaining  a  position  upon  Doles's  left,  causing  him 
to  retreat.  The  enemy  made  a  most  obstinate  resistance,  until  the  colors  on  por 
tions  of  the  lines  were  less  than  fifty  paces  apart,  when  his  line  was  broken  [Gil- 
sa's]  and  driven  back,  leaving  the  flank  which  this  line  had  protected  [Ames's] 
exposed  to  my  fire.  An  effort  was  made  by  the  enemy  to  change  his  front  and 
check  our  advance,  but  failed,  this  line,  too,  being  driven  back.  ...  I  was  here 
ordered  to  halt. 

Avery  crossed  the  creek  to  the  left  of  Hays,  striking  Barlow's 
discomfited  battalions,  who  made  a  futile  stand,  Avery  reporting, 
"  The  enemy  stubbornly  holding  their  position  until  we  had  climbed 
over  the  fence  in  their  midst." 

Hays  drove  all  before  him  until  he  reached  the  railroad,  at  which 
place  he  came  within  range  of  Heckman's  guns,  which  checked  him 
for  a  time,  when  he  changed  front  forward  on  first  company,  first 
battalion,  of  part  of  his  brigade,  to  face  Heckman's  and  Coster's 
brigade,  then  deploying  from  the  town.  He  routed  Coster,  captured 
two  of  Heckman's  guns,  and  drove  the  fugitives  into  the  town,  follow 
ing  them  closely  and  taking  prisoners  at  every  step ;  finally  resting 
his  lines  on  one  of  the  streets,  with  Hoke's  (Avery's)  brigade  on 
the  left. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  141 


THE    STAND    OF    THE    IITH    CORPS. 

The  Confederate  account  of  the  overthrow  of  the  nth  Corps 
having  been  briefly  given,  we  will  now  consider  the  other  side. 
General  Howard  reports  that  at  4.10  P.M.,  finding  he  could  hold 
his  position  no  longer,  he  sent  a  positive  order  to  the  ist  and  nth 
Corps  to  fall  back  gradually,  disputing  every  inch  of  the  ground, 
and  form  on  Cemetery  Hill.  With  respect  to  the  attack  on  Barlow's 
division  on  the  knoll,  Ames  says  he  was  driven  from  this  position, 
the  men  of  Gilsa's  brigade  running  through  his  lines,  creating  con 
siderable  confusion.  Doubtless,  Gilsa's  men  came  back  with  little 
regard  to  tactics,  and  this  unfortunate  break  was  the  beginning  of 
the  crumbling  of  the  Union  right  flank  ;  but  the  rout  was  inevitable ; 
if  they  had  not  retreated,  every  one  would  have  been  killed  or  cap 
tured  when  Hays  and  Avery  swung  around  in  their  rear.  This 
break  took  Ames's  troops  in  flank  and  rear,  and  though  they  tried 
to  change  front  to  fight  Early,  it  was  too  late ;  he  gave  them  no 
opportunity  to  get  in  shape  to  make  a  successful  defence. 

Barlow  had  many  good  regiments,  and  they  made  a  gallant  stand, 
as  the  figures  show.  A  little  to  the  left  of  Hays,  a  tattered  Federal 
regiment  faced  about  and  tried  to  make  a  stand,  led  by  a  mounted 
officer,  who,  riding  among  them,  waved  his  hat  and  sword,  shouting, 
"Don't  run,  men;  none  but  cowards  run."  Some  of  the  Confed 
erates,  admiring  his  pluck,  cried  out,  "  Don't  shoot  that  man  ;"  but 
a  volley  brought  him  down,  and  his  heroic  command  was  scattered 
by  the  advancing  battalions  of  Hays  and  Avery. 

DOLES' S    ATTACK    ON    SCHIMMELFENNIG. 

We  left  Doles's  brigade  in  line  from  Oak  Hill  to  Rock  Creek. 
When  Gordon's  battle-flags  burst  through  the  bushes  skirting  Rock 
Creek,  Doles  promptly  took  up  the  advance,  moving  forward  his  left 
near  Barlow's  Knoll  and  his  right  west  of  the  Carlisle  road,  connect 
ing  with  O'Neal's  brigade.  When  Barlow's  division  broke,  Doles 
struck  Ames's  flank,  which  he  pursued  until  threatened  by  Schimmel- 
fennig  on  his  right.  He  reports, — 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE 

While  we  were  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  a  strong  force  appeared  on  our  right. 
We  changed  our  front;  to  meet  this  force.  Attacked  and  routed  it,  pursuing  it 
across  the  plain,  but  few  escaping. 

All  this  reads  smoothly  enough,  but  it  is  more  than  likely  that  he 
did  not  have  so  easy  a  job  as  it  appears.  When  the  ist  Division  was 
overwhelmed,  the  3d  Division  was  exposed  to  a  flank  attack  as  well 
as  Doles's  front  fire,  and  whenever  these  troops  formed  line  their 
right  crumbled  from  Early's  vigorous  fire  from  that  quarter.  Major 
Wills,  of  the  iiQth  New  York,  says,— 


Our  regiment  did  not  yield,  but  stood  firmly  until  the  1st  Division  had  fallen 
back  and  Amsberg's  brigade  on  our  left  had  disappeared;  then  we  retired. 

Major  Ledig,  of  the  75th  Pennsylvania,  states, — 

About  two  o'clock  the  whole  brigade  advanced  near  half  a  mile  and  opened  on 
the  enemy.  The  82d  Ohio,  on  my  left,  was  flanked  and  gave  way.  I  directed 
the  fire  left  oblique,  and  began  to  retreat  behind  a  fence.  During  this  short 
period — say  fifteen  minutes — I  lost  ill  killed  and  wounded. 

Dilger  and  Wheeler  fought  their  batteries  skilfully,  only  limbering 
to  the  rear  when  in  danger  of  losing  their  guns,  and  going  into  bat 
tery  at  every  favorable  position  to  check  the  Confederate  advance. 

COSTER    IN    THE    BREACH. 

It  has  been  stated  that  General  Schurz  desired,  earlier  in  the  day, 
that  a  reserve  brigade  be  posted  near  the  depot,  to  take  in  flank  any 
Confederate  force  threatening  the  line  he  proposed  to  establish ;  but 
we  have  seen  how  that  line  was  advanced  half  a  mile  or  more,  thus 
rendering  the  proposed  plan  impracticable. 

Coster's  brigade,  composed  of  the  i34th  and  15 4th  New  York, 
27th  and  73d  Pennsylvania,  was  posted  here  when  the  corps  was 
falling  back,  and,  with  Heckman's  battery,  made  a  gallant  but  vain 
effort  to  stay  the  victorious  march  of  the  Confederates,  who  were 
pressing  the  fugitives  closely.  Coster  posted  the  73d  in  reserve  at 
the  edge  of  the  town  and  hurriedly  pushed  the  rest  of  the  brigade — 
the  1 34th  on  the  right  and  the  27th  on  the  left — some  200  yards  out 
in  the  fields  between  the  railroad  and  the  Harrisburg  road.  Heck- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  143 

man  went  into  battery  to  the  left  of  the  road,  the  Confederates  being 
in  range  at  once.     He  writes, — 

My  battery  was  engaged  thirty  minutes;  during  that  time  I  expended  113  rounds, 
mostly  canister.  The  enemy  had  gotten  very  close,  when  the  order  was  given  to 
limber  up,  but  too  late  to  save  my  whole  battery,  two  pieces  being  left. 

But  although  these  regiments  and  batteries  of  the  nth  Corps 
made  a  creditable  stand,  it  is  remarkable,  when  compared  with  the 
ist  Corps,  how  little  damage  they  inflicted  upon  their  opponents. 
The  loss  of  the  corps,  including  about  1400  prisoners,  aggregates 
nearly  2700  in  the  first  day's  operations.  Early  officially  reports 
his  loss  on  this  day  at  586,  and  if  to  this  be  added  about  160  for 
Doles  and  54  for  O'Neal  and  the  artillery,  the  Confederate  loss 
will  amount  to  about  800,  less  than  100  of  this  number  being 
captured. 

RODES    OVERWHELMS    PAUL. 

As  soon  as  the  remnants  of  Iverson's  and  the  shattered  battalions 
of  O'Neal's  brigades  were  rallied,  they  were  aligned  with  Ramseur 
and  a  general  advance  made  on  Paul's  exhausted  troops,  holding  the 
hill  formerly  occupied  by  Baxter,  who  was  now  reforming  near  the 
cut.  Ramseur  reports  that  about  four  o'clock  he  advanced,  sending 
the  4th  and  2d  North  Carolina  to  the  left  of  the  road  and  the  3oth 
and  i4th  North  Carolina  to  the  right.  He  "found  three  regiments 
of  Iverson's  command  almost  annihilated,  and  the  3d  Alabama,  of 
O'Neal's  brigade,  coming  out  of  the  fight  from  Iverson's  right." 
He  took  this  regiment  and  the  i2th  North  Carolina,  which  had 
escaped  the  general  ruin,  and,  re-enforced  by  O'Neal,  coming  down 
and  around  the  base  of  Oak  Hill,  made  a  fierce  attack  on  Paul, 
striking  him  in  front  and  right,  this  being  the  identical  movement 
attempted  an  hour  or  two  before.  Ramseur  says, — 

With  these  regiments  I  turned  the  enemy's  strong  position  in  a  body  of  woods,  sur 
rounded  by  a  stone  fence,  by  attacking  en  masse  on  the  right,  driving  him  back 
and  getting  in  his  rear.  The  enemy,  seeing  his  flank  turned,  made  but  a  feeble 
resistance  to  the  front  attack. 

Paul  and  the  fragments  of  Baxter's  command  did  not  abandon  the 
hill  in  the  way  that  Ramseur  infers,  but  clung  to  the  woods  with  a 


144  HISTORY  OF   THE 

bull-dog  grip.  The  i3th  Massachusetts  held  the  right  of  Paul's 
brigade,  and  when  Rodes's  men  got  too  close,  repulsed  them  by  a 
bayonet  charge,  taking  132  prisoners,  but  was  quickly  charged  in 
return  by  Ramseur  and  O'Neal,  and  being  almost  surrounded,  lost 
three-fourths  of  its  number  before  it  got  clear. 

In  their  desperate  efforts  to  shake  off  the  Confederate  grip  the 
94th  and  io4th  New  York  also  charged,  Colonel  Prey  reporting, — 

my  line  running  obliquely  to  the  crest,  where  the  enemy  was  posted  behind  a  wall, 
covered  by  thick  brush,  the  fire  from  the  wall  taking  us  on  the  flank  as  the  line 
advanced.  The  three  left  companies  gained  the  wall  and  dislodged  the  enemy. 
I  then  advanced  my  line  to  the  Mummasburg  road,  taking  thirty-five  or  forty 
prisoners. 

Robinson  says  that  he  held  the  hill  till  nearly  five  o'clock,  when 
the  troops  retired  fighting,  the  i6th  Maine  making  a  last  obstinate 
but  hopeless  charge  to  the  road  ;  but  nearly  all  were  shot  or  captured, 
and  the  survivors,  finding  their  retreat  cut  off,  destroyed  their  flag  to 
prevent  its  capture,  dividing  the  ribbons.  When  the  decimated 
battalions  of  Paul's  command  finally  fell  back,  they  discovered  the 
enemy  in  every  direction,  having  to  run  the  gantlet  of  fire  from 
Doles  on  one  flank,  Pender  on  the  other,  and  Rodes  bringing  up  the 
rear. 

It  was  now  after  four  o'clock,  and  we  shall  turn  our  attention  to 
the  last  stand  made  back  of  the  Seminary,  which  occurred  about 
the  time  Robinson  was  driven  from  the  woods  north  of  the  cut. 

THE    LAST   STAND    OF    THE    1ST   CORPS. 

We  have  followed  Biddle's,  Meredith's,  and  Stone's  brigades  to 
their  last  stand  back  of  the  Seminary  buildings.  If  these  troops 
had  fallen  back  at  once  to  Cemetery  Hill,  the  loss  in  prisoners  when 
they  were  finally  forced  off  would  probably  have  been  prevented  ; 
but  good  soldiers  always  stand  by  their  guns,  and  when  the  artillery 
unlimbered  the  dough-boys  promptly  formed  line  in  support.  It  was 
probably  after  four  o'clock  when  Pender  advanced  to  the  last  assault. 
General  Wadsworth  says  it  was  about  3.45  ;  Cutler  and  Biddle  note 
it  as  about  four;  Colonel  McFarland  says  4.20  by  his  watch ;  Dana, 
after  four;  Robinson  and  Captain  Cooper,  about  five;  while  on  the 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  145 

Confederate  side,  Colonel  Grimes  and  Major  Engelhard  place  it  at 
about  four,  and  Perrin,  after  four.  The  Union  line  was  formed  in 
much  the  same  order  as  when  near  the  creek  :  Biddle  on  the  left,  then 
the  Iron  and  Bucktail  Brigades,  and  Cutler  on  the  right  near  the  cut, 
with  Baxter  back  of  Stewart's  right  sections,  and  Paul  trying  to  stem 
the  tide  near  the  Mummasburg  road.  On  the  extreme  left,  Gamble 
had  dismounted  parts  of  the  8th  New  York,  3d  Indiana,  and  i2th 
Illinois  cavalry,  to  cover  the  flank  of  the  ist  Corps. 

WHY    SEMINARY    HILL   WAS    HELD. 

The  desperate  and  hazardous  stand  on  this  line  may  be  explained 
in  this  wise.  Chief  of  Artillery  Wainwright  having  heard  General 
Doubleday  speak  of  holding  Cemetery  Hill,  and  not  then  knowing 
of  such  a  place,  confounded  it  with  Seminary  Hill,  and,  loyal  to  his 
chief,  planted  his  guns  in  what  he  supposed  was  the  right  place,  con 
centrating  twelve  cannon  in  a  space  hardly  five  yards  apart,  Reynolds 
being  on  the  left,  then  Cooper  and  Stevens,  with  Stewart  astraddle 
of  the  cut. 

THE    MARCH    OF    THE    CONFEDERATES. 

About  four  o'clock  Pender  determined  to  go  in  again,  and  passing 
over  Heth's  exhausted  and  greatly-reduced  division,  with  Lane  on 
the  right,  then  Perrin,  with  Scales  on  the  left  and  Thomas  in  the 
rear,  made  for  the  blue  line  in  the  shade  of  the  trees.  Perrin 
especially  handled  his  brigade  with  good  judgment,  and  being  in  a 
position  to  turn  and  smash  the  Union  flank,  he  worked  his  troops  for 
all  they  were  worth.  Forming  his  men,  he  instructed  them  not  to 
fire  until  he  gave  the  order,  and  with  Scales  on  his  left  and  Heth's 
division  at  his  back,  rushed  to  the  assault.  He  soon  encountered  a 
furious  storm  of  musketry  and  shells  from  the  Union  batteries  to  the 
left  of  the  road ;  but  his  instructions  were  strictly  observed ;  not  a 
gun  was  discharged ;  the  brigade  receiving  the  fire  without  faltering, 
rushing  up  the  hill  at  a  charge,  and  soon  forcing  the  Union  lines. 
Perrin  reports,— 

We  continued  the  charge  without  opposition,  except  from  their  artillery,  which 
maintained  a  constant  and  most  galling  fire  upon  us,  until  we  got  within  200  yards 
of  their  position  about  the  College.  While  crossing  the  last  fence,  about  200 

10 


146  HISTORY  OF   THE 

yards  from  the  grove  near  the  College  [Seminary],  the  brigade  received  the  most 
destructive  fire  of  musketry  I  have  ever  been  exposed  to.  We  continued  to 
press  forward,  however,  until  we  reached  the  edge  of  the  grove.  Here  the  I4th 
[all  South  Carolina  regiments]  was  staggered  for  a  moment  by  the  enemy's  mus 
ketry.  It  looked  to  us  as  though  this  regiment  was  entirely  destroyed.  Here  I 
found  myself  without  support  either  on  the  right  or  left,  Scales  having  halted  to 
return  the  enemy's  fire.  This  gave  the  enemy  an  enfilading  fire  upon  the  I4th. 
I  now  obliqued  the  1st  Regiment  to  the  right  to  avoid  a  breastwork  of  rails,  behind 
which  the  enemy  was  posted,  and  then  changed  front  to  the  left,  and  attacked  in 
flank.  This  caused  the  whole  of  their  artillery  on  our  left — at  least  thirty  pieces — 
to  limber  to  the  rear.  Much  of  their  artillery  would  have  been  captured,  but  the 
1st  and  I4th,  in  their  pursuit,  again  met  a  force  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  strongly 
posted  behind  a  stone  wall  near  and  to  the  left  of  the  College.  While  the  1st  and 
I4th  were  driving  him  from  his  breastworks,  the  1 2th  and  I3th  Regiments  obliqued 
to  the  right  and  charged  a  stone  fence  to  the  right  of  the  College,  from  which  he 
had  kept  up  a  constant  and  withering  fire  of  musketry  upon  the  front  and  right 
flank  of  the  brigade. 

This  wall  was  defended  by  the  dismounted  cavalry. 

Such  is  Perrin's  vivid  account  of  the  part  he  took  in  this  fight. 
His  firm  advance  swept  all  the  Union  defenders  from  the  Seminary 
grounds. 

Scales's  share  in  the  work,  with  his  North  Carolina  brigade,  is 
embodied  in  the  following  report : 

We  passed  over  them  [Heth's  men],  crossed  the  ridge,  and  commenced  the 
descent  just  opposite  the  Seminary.  Here  the  brigade  encountered  a  most  terrific 
fire  of  grape  and  shell  on  our  flank  and  grape  and  musketry  on  our  front.  Every 
discharge  made  sad  havoc  in  our  line ;  but  still  we  pressed  on  at  double-quick 
until  we  reached  the  bottom,  a  distance  of  about  seventy-five  yards  from  the  ridge 
we  had  just  crossed  and  about  the  same  distance  from  the  College  in  our  front. 
Here  I  was  wounded.  Our  line  had  been  broken  up,  and  now  only  a  squad,  here 
and  there,  marked  the  places  where  regiments  had  rested. 

That  night  only  500  of  Scales's  men,  "depressed,  dilapidated, 
and  almost  unorganized,"  could  be  mustered,  so  severely  had  they 
been  handled  by  the  battered  and  broken  battalions  of  the  ist  Corps. 

THE    UNION    CANNONEERS   STANDING   TO   THEIR   GUNS. 

The  Union  artillery  took  so  important  a  part  in  the  final  defence 
of  Seminary  Ridge  that  it  would  be  an  injustice  not  to  notice  its 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  147 

heroic  stand.  The  5th  Maine  was  in  position  to  the  left  of  the 
Seminary,  opening  first  with  spherical  case  and  shell,  then  with 
canister,  giving  the  Confederates  hot  doses  until  it  was  long  past 
quitting-time.  Battery  L  changed  position  frequently,  greeting  the 
advancing  lines  with  canister,  repulsing  several  charges,  and  finally 
retiring  under  cover  of  the  cavalry.  Cooper  opened  with  case-shot 
and  shell  until  canister  range  was  reached,  giving  them  unstinted 
rations  of  that  until  he  was  driven  from  his  position.  Hall's  2d 
Maine  had  been  so  badly  used  in  the  morning,  that  after  an  unsuc 
cessful  attempt  to  find  a  good  position  from  which  to  again  engage 
the  Confederates,  it  was  sent  to  the  town  and  rendered  invaluable 
aid  in  the  final  retreat. 

Probably  the  fiercest  battery  fighting  at  Gettysburg  was  done  by 
Stewart's  B,  4th  United  States,  and  is  vividly  described  in  the 
*'  Cannoneer,"  written  by  Private  Buell,  of  that  company,  and  pub 
lished  by  the  National  Tribune,  Washington,  D.C.  That  battery 
had  not  been  actively  engaged  until  the  corps  had  been  forced  back 
to  the  hill ;  then  came  its  turn  for  a  share  of  the  sport.  The  com 
mand  was  in  half  battery  on  both  sides  of  the  cut,  the  right  under 
Stewart  and  the  left  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Davison,  whose  guns 
were  in  Thompson's  yard,  pointing  west.  When  the  enemy  got 
within  range  the  battery  opened  an  effective  fire  with  canister, 
single,  double,  and  finally  triple  charges,  and  with  such  deadly  aim 
that  Scales's  brigade  was  broken  up  with  fearful  slaughter  and  Daniels 
was  held  in  check  for  probably  half  an  hour.  Lieutenant  Daviscn, 
though  bleeding  from  two  wounds,  one  ankle  being  shattered,  refused 
to  order  the  guns  off,  but,  supported  by  a  cannoneer,  hobbled  among 
his  gunners,  exhorting  them  to  feed  the  canister  to  the  approaching 
lines  of  gray,  until  the  guns  were  so  hot  that  the  thumb-leathers  were 
burned  to  a  crisp.  When  Scales  got  too  close,  he  ran  his  guns  for 
ward  to  the  road,  enfilading  the  enemy's  lines  with  a  terrific  storm 
of  double  canister  until  the  rebs  hustled  to  the  rear  in  confusion. 

Stewart,  with  his  guns  north  of  the  cut,  made  it  red  hot  for  any 
of  the  Johnnies  who  dared  come  within  range,  but  the  converging 
fire  became  so  destructive  that  he  was  finally  obliged  either  to  limber 
to  the  rear  or  lose  his  guns. 

Colonel  Wainwright  reports, — 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE 

All  the  batteries  were  limbered  to  the  rear,  and  moved  at  a  walk  down  the 
Chambersburg  pike  until  the  infantry  had  all  left.  By  this  time  the  enemy  had 
lapped  our  retreating  columns  and  opened  a  severe  fire  from  behind  a  paling 
fence  within  fifty  yards  of  the  road.  The  batteries  now  broke  into  a  trot,  but  too 
late  to  save  everything;  Reynolds's  last  piece  had  a  horse  shot,  and  just  as  he  dis 
engaged  it,  three  more  of  the  horses  were  down,  so  it  was  impossible  to  bring 
it  off. 

It  was  a  wonder  that  any  of  these  guns  escaped ;  a  rush  by  the  rebs 
would  have  taken  them  all  in ;  but  the  pursuing  lines  came  on  so 
cautiously  that  they  all  got  safely  off,  with  the  exception  noted. 

In  the  last  stand  made  back  of  the  Seminary,  portions  of  all  the 
regiments  rallied  behind  the  rail  barricade  which  Robinson's  men 
had  hastily  thrown  up  in  the  morning,  and  when  flanked  from  this 
slight  defence,  they  retreated  as  best  they  could.  The  yth  Wiscon 
sin  retired  by  right  of  companies  to  the  rear,  through  the  orchard, 
over  the  hill,  and  along  the  pike  to  the  town.  On  coming  out  of 
the  orchard,  the  men  found  the  Confederates  advancing  in  line  of 
battle,  about  300  yards  to  the  left  and  rear  of  their  late  position. 
To  the  right,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  pike,  was  another  line,  the 
left  of  which  extended  nearly  to  the  town  ;  this  line  was  stationary 
and  supported  by  artillery.  In  passing  out,  both  these  lines  and 
the  artillery  delivered  an  enfilading  fire,  causing  more  loss  than  at 
any  time  during  the  day.  The  6th  Wisconsin,  facing  to  the  rear, 
with  its  right  to  the  bank,  moved  steadily  back  to  the  city,  almost 
directly  towards  the  Confederate  lines,  which,  having  disposed  of  the 
nth  Corps,  were  now  swinging  round  to  surround  the  remnant  of 
the  ist  Corps. 

THE    PANIC    IN   THE   TOWN. 

The  nth  Corps  entered  the  town  first,  closely  pursued  by  Hays 
and  Hoke,  who  reached  the  edge  of  the  village  while  the  rear-guard 
of  the  ist  Corps  was  still  disputing  Hill's  advance  on  Seminary  Hill. 
Chaplain  William  H.  Locke,  in  his  "Story  of  the  Regiment," 
plainly  describes  the  situation  in  these  words : 

The  Lutheran  Church  was  crowded  with  our  wounded.  We  were  going  in 
and  out  among  these,  when  the  broken  and  flying  battalions  of  the  nth  Corps 
came  streaming  in  from  the  right.  It  was  a  sight  never  to  be  forgotten.  Crowd 
ing  through  the  streets  and  up  the  alleys  and  over  fences,  in  utter  ignorance  of 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  149 

whither  they  were  going,  every  moment  increased  the  confusion  and  dismay.  To 
add  to  the  terror,  the  enemy  gained  possession  of  the  town,  and,  firing  rapidly  into 
our  retreating  ranks,  shot  and  shell  mingled  their  horrid  sounds  with  the  groans  of 
the  dying.  But  that  retreat  was  not  all  confusion.  The  same  noble  corps  that  had 
maintained  its  ground  on  the  left  fell  back  in  solid  phalanx.  Shoulder  to  shoul 
der  they  marched,  rank  after  rank  halting  to  fire  upon  the  advancing  foe,  and 
then  closing  up  again  with  daring  coolness. 

Any  attempt  to  make  a  stand  in  this  bewildered  and  frantic  mob 
was  attended  with  the  greatest  difficulty  and  peril,  yet  many  frag 
ments  of  both  corps  did  their  level  best  to  breast  the  storm  and 
repulse  the  graybacks. 

Amidst  all  this  excitement  the  iyth  Connecticut  deployed  in  the 
streets,  firing  several  rounds  before  it  was  compelled  to  fall  back  ;  the 
iiQth  New  York  made  a  plucky  stand  at  the  foot  of  Washington 
Street,  holding  the  enemy  in  check  a  little  while  and  then  retreating 
in  good  order  to  the  hill.  A  section  of  Dilger's  battery  unlimbered 
near  the  Diamond,  assisting  the  iiQth  by  firing  canister  into 
the  faces  of  the  pursuers.  Colonel  Dawes,  of  the  yth  Wisconsin, 
says  that  the  crowd  was  frightful  and  the  men  almost  prostrated  with 
over- exertion  and  the  great  heat,  while  the  Confederate  sharp 
shooters  occupied  the  streets  on  the  left,  their  line  of  battle  almost 
encircling  the  city.  The  76th  New  York  lost  eight  or  ten  men  by 
falling  bricks  and  rifle-shots,  and  Colonel  Dana,  of  the  i43d,  claims 
that  his  command  was  the  last  organized  body  to  pass  through,  all 
the  time  under  a  destructive  fire,  reaching  the  hill  between  five  and 
six  o'clock. 

RALLYING    ON    CEMETERY    HILL. 

General  Hancock,  with  orders  from  General  Meade  to  take  com 
mand,  left  Taneytown,  thirteen  miles  distant,  at  i.io  P.M.,  arriving 
on  the  hill  about  three  o'clock.  The  stragglers,  camp  followers, 
and  slightly  wounded  men  from  both  corps  were  hunting  the  hill  as 
a  place  of  refuge  before  this  hour,  and  as  Hancock  arrived  the 
stream  of  stragglers  and  fighting  men  was  setting  strongly  in  this 
direction.  Everybody  appeared  to  feel  that  the  retreat  was  at  an 
end  and  that  this  position  was  the  rallying-point,  and  as  the  begrimed 
and  weary  men  came  up  the  road  they  were  quickly  reformed  and 
marched  to  the  right  or  left  to  meet  the  expected  attack.  The  many 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE 

cannon  shotted  and  in  position,  with  the  cannoneers  standing  calmly 
by,  together  with  the  firm  front  presented  by  Steinwehr's  troops, 
had  a  happy  effect  by  assuring  the  worn-out  soldiers  that  help  was 
at  hand. 

The  cavalry  division  was  in  good  form  on  the  plain  near  the  Em- 
mittsburg  road,  the  same  ground  over  which  Pickett's  division 
charged  on  the  3d.  Hancock  says, — 

The  position  was  already  partially  occupied  on  my  arrival  by  direction  of 
General  Howard.  Some  difficulty  was  experienced  in  forming  the  troops  of  the 
nth  Corps,  but  by  vigorous  efforts  a  sufficiently  formidable  line  was  established 
to  deter  the  enemy  from  any  serious  assault.  The  enemy  pushed  forward  a  line 
of  battle  for  a  short  distance  east  of  the  Baltimore  pike,  but  it  was  easily  checked 
by  our  artillery  fire.  As  soon  as  the  line  of  battle  was  shown  by  the  enemy, 
\Vaclsworth 's  division  and  a  battery  were  placed  on  the  eminence  just  across  the 
pike.  The  rest  of  the  1st  Corps  was  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  Taneytown 
road  and  connected  with  the  left  of  the  nth  Corps,  which  occupied  that  part  of 
the  cemetery  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  Baltimore  pike.  Williams's  division,  of 
the  1 2th  Corps,  arrived  as  these  arrangements  were  being  completed,  and  was 
established  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Wadsworth's.  Geary's  division,  of  the  1 2th 
Corps,  subsequently  arriving,  I  ordered  it  to  the  high  ground  near  Round  Top 
Mountain.  The  head  of  the  3d  Corps  appeared  shortly  afterwards  (between  five 
and  six  P.M.)  on  the  Emmittsburg  road. 

About  dark,  Hancock,  considering  the  position  perfectly  safe, 
turned  the  command  over  to  Slocum  and  returned  to  Taneytown 
to  report  to  General  Meade.  The  above  is  Hancock's  concise  and 
impartial  report  of  the  situation,  and  the  reports  of  the  subordinate 
officers  trend  in  the  same  direction. 

Howard  states, — 

At  4.30  the  column  reached  the  hill,  the  enemy  pressing  hard.  He  made  a 
single  attempt  to  turn  our  right,  but  his  line  was  instantly  broken  by  Wiedrich's 
battery. 

Doubleday  reports, — 

All  the  troops  passed  tranquilly  on,  although  the  enemy  was  firing  into  them 
from  the  side  streets,  and  all  reformed  promptly  on  their  arrival  at  Cemetery  Hill, 
and  in  a  very  short  time  were  again  ready  for  service. 

Robinson's  division  formed  line  on  the  left,  facing  the  Emmitts 
burg  road,  Baxter  building  temporary  breastworks  at  the  bloody 


CAPTAIN   EI>\VAKI>   L.  ( 
Company  E. 


Company  E. 


_ 


\ 

!^ 
\ 


CAPTAIN  CHRISTIAN  S.  CARMACK. 
Company  E. 


HENRY  S.  Boox. 
Company  E. 


JOHN   Du   HAV 
Company  F. 


COMPANIES    E    AND    F. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  151 

angle,  this  command  being  relieved  on  the  2d  by  the  Philadelphia 
Brigade.  Colonel  Wainwright  posted  the  batteries  to  command  the 
approaches  from  the  town  in  case  the  enemy  should  attempt  to 
follow.  The  "Cannoneer"  says,  "It  may  have  been  about  five 
o'clock  when  we  got  fairly  into  our  new  position  on  Cemetery 
Hill." 

The  batteries  unlimbered  in  the  following  order :  Captain  Hall, 
with  three  serviceable  guns,  on  the  left  of  the  cemetery,  near  the 
Taneytown  road.  In  the  cemetery,  in  the  order  named,  were 
Wheeler,  with  five  guns;  Dilger,  with  six  guns;  and  Wilkeson, 
with  six  guns.  In  the  pike,  near  the  cemetery  gate,  Stewart's  four 
guns  were  posted ;  north  of  the  Baltimore  pike  came  Wiedrich, 
with  four  guns.  Cooper,  with  four  guns ;  Reynolds,  with  five  guns  ; 
and  Stevens,  with  six  guns,  were  in  position  on  the  extreme  right,  to 
sweep  the  eastern  face  of  the  hill  with  a  cross-fire.  At  this  hour 
Heckman  was  on  the  road  in  reserve.  The  above  shows  forty-three 
serviceable  guns  ready  to  play  on  the  enemy  if  he  should  advance. 
Several  pieces  had  been  disabled,  one  from  Wheeler's  battery  being 
left  dismounted  on  the  field  and  two  of  Heckman's  captured. 

While  forming  on  the  hill,  several  important  detachments  arrived 
to  strengthen  the  depleted  ranks  of  the  infantry,  among  them  being 
the  yth  Indiana,  most  of  the  58th  New  York,  75th  Ohio,  and  other 
details  that  had  been  on  detached  duty ;  in  all,  probably  nearly 
1000  men.  There  were  undoubtedly  more  than  6000  soldiers  in 
line  close  to  the  cemetery,  ready  to  defend  this  position  to  the  last, 
and  it  is  preposterous  to  imagine  that  the  few  tired  and  fought-out 
brigades  of  Confederates  who  were  on  hand  at  any  time  before  six 
o'clock  could  have  made  an  impression  on  this  well-defended  posi 
tion  ;  it  was  well  for  them  that  no  serious  attempt  was  made. 
True,  these  men  were  scorched  by  the  heat,  tired,  and  thirsty,  but 
they  were  in  no  worse  condition  than  their  pursuers,  and  if  Early 
had  attacked  the  position  he  would  have  found  the  old  ist  Corps  at 
the  new  stand  and  ready  for  business.  His  lines  would  have  been 
raked  by  the  numerous  cannon  and  riddled  by  the  bullets  of  the 
men  of  the  sphere  and  crescent. 


IS2  HISTORY  OF  THE 

AN    ANALYSIS   OF   THE    UNION    STRENGTH    AND    LOSS,  JULY  I,   1863. 

A  brief  glance  at  the  losses  furnishes  an  interesting  study.  The 
following  statistics  are  taken  from  the  official  reports,  histories,  and 
inscriptions  on  the  battle-field  memorials.  This  data  applies  to  the 
battle  of  July  i  only. 

ist  Corps.                                                                              Strength.  Loss. 

Head-quarters 25  5 

Iron  Brigade 1806  i°5° 

Cutler's  brigade 1636  900 

Paul's  brigade J37O  950 

Baxter's  brigade 1394  575 

Biddle's  brigade 139&  7S° 

Stone's  brigade 1312  750 

Artillery  brigade 619  83 

Total 9558  5063 

The  yth  Indiana  is  omitted  in  the  above,  it  not  having  partici 
pated  in  the  battle  of  the  first  day. 

nth  Corps.  Strength.  Loss. 

Head -quarters 25  4 

Gilsa's  brigade 1119  300 

Ames's  brigade 1246  550 

Coster's  brigade 13$6  4S° 

Amsberg's  brigade 199°  700 

Kryzanowski's  brigade '392  575 

Artillery  brigade 645  50 

Total 7773  2629 

Smith's  brigade  is  not  included  in  the  above,  and  but  two  com 
panies  of  the  58th  New  York  and  160  men  of  the  75th  Ohio,  the 
remainder  being  on  a  scout.  The  41  st  New  York  was  also  absent 
on  detached  duty,  and  did  not  participate  in  the  fight  on  the  ist. 

Buford's  Cavalry  Division.                                                                 Strength.  Loss. 

Gamble's  brigade 1SS°  99 

Devin's  brigade 1500  28 

CalePs  battery 100  12 


Total 3150  139 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  153 

Summary.  Strength.  Loss. 

ist  Corps 9,558  5063 

iithCorps 7,773  2629 

Cavalry  division 3>15°  *39 

Total 20,481  7831 

These  figures  indicate  that  the  Union  force  engaged  on  July  i, 
not  including  guards  and  detailed  men,  was  less  than  20,000,  but 
this  is  greatly  in  excess  of  the  reports  of  the  officers  then  in  com 
mand.  General  Doubleday  reports  that  the  ist  Corps  consisted  of 
about  8200  men  when  it  entered  the  battle,  Robinson  says  that  his 
division  went  in  with  less  than  2500,  and  Baxter  states  that  his  bri 
gade  had  a  few  less  than  1200.  Schurz  gives  the  strength  of  his  two 
divisions  as  hardly  over  6000  effectives,  and  Howard  says  that  the 
two  corps  numbered  less  than  18,000. 

The  losses  of  the  first  day  are  in  some  cases  approximated,  but  a 
careful  search  of  the  official  reports  enables  us  to  give  close  figures. 

CONFEDERATE  STRENGTH  AND  LOSS,  JULY  I,  1863. 

The  task  of  accurately  stating  the  Confederate  loss  is  more  diffi 
cult,  but  the  figures  given  are  in  most  cases  official. 

Strength.  Loss. 

Heth's  division 7,44$  2475 

Fender's  division 6>455  noo 

Rodes's  division 8,135  2525 

Early's  division 4,800  586 

Artillery,  nineteen  batteries 2,280  92 

1 7th  Virginia  and  White's  cavalry 700  .    . 

Head-quarters 200  .    . 

Total 30,018  6778 

Smith's  brigade  is  not  included  in  Early's  strength,  it  not  having 
been  actively  engaged. 

Of  the  5063  men  lost  by  the   ist   Corps  on  July  i,  about  3000 
were  killed  and  wounded,  and  of  the  nth  Corps  (2629),  1500  can 
be  accounted  for  in  the  same  way,  thus  making  a  total  loss  of  4500  ... 
killed  and  wounded  in  both  corps. 

Of  the  Confederate  loss,  some   4300  were  killed  and  wounded, 


1 5  4  HIS  TOR  Y  OF  THE 

the  remainder  being  captured,  mostly  by  the  ist  Corps.  The  loss 
of  the  Johnnies  fighting  the  ist  Corps  was  about  5800,  those  pitted 
against  the  nth  Corps  about  800,  the  remainder  being  posted  to 
the  credit  of  Buford's  carbineers. 

The  9000  men  of  the  ist  Corps  received  the  attack  of  Heth's, 
Fender's,  and  all  of  Rodes's  division  except  Doles's  brigade, — in 
all,  upward  of  17,000  men;  while  the  7500  men  in  the  nth  Corps 
withstood  Early's  division,  Doles's  brigade  of  Rodes's  division,  and 
part  of  O'Nears, — about  7000  strong.  In  this  calculation  the  artil 
lery  is  not  mentioned,  but  it  should  be  understood  that  it  was  actively 
engaged  all  the  time. 

Some  of  the  Confederate  troops,  although  under  fire  and  losing 
men,  are  not  reckoned  in  this  statement,  as  they  did  not  actually 
exchange  rifle-shots  with  their  adversaries. 

The  historian  is  aware  that  the  above  figures  materially  differ 
from  other  statements  given  by  careful  speakers  and  writers  on  this 
subject,  but  the  detailed  facts  are  here,  and  the  reader  can  readily 
judge  as  to  their  accuracy. 

A    PARTING    SHOT. 

So  ended  the  first  day  at  Gettysburg,  and  though  a  hopeless  con 
test  for  the  Union  side  at  any  hour  after  one  o'clock,  it  was  fought 
with  a  vigor  and  spirit  that  have  always  elicited  admiration  from  the 
impartial  observer. 

Colonel  Swallow  writes, — 

All  bear  testimony  to  the  gallant  manner  in  which  Reynolds's  corps  behaved. 
Even  at  three  o'clock,  when  the  order  was  issued  for  a  general  advance  of  the 
whole  Confederate  line,  Reynolds's  veterans,  although  falling  back  before  the  Con 
federates,  still  to  a  great  extent  preserved  that  soldierly  bearing  in  defeat  that  con 
trasted  strangely  with  the  terror  and  demoralization  that  had  taken  possession  of 
their  companions.  In  speaking  of  the  first  day's  battle,  therefore,  the  conduct  of 
Reynolds's  corps  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  divisions  of  Schurz  and  Bar 
low.  Had  these  two  divisions  been  placed  directly  in  the  rear  of  Reynolds, 
instead  of  scattering  them  all  around  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  and  had  they 
stood  up  to  Reynolds's  corps  like  brave  men,  they  might  possibly  have  accom 
plished  something  great. 

That  writer  appears  to  have  a  prejudice  against  the  nth  Corps. 
General  Schurz  attempted  to  make  the  identical  movement  suggested 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS,  155 

by  him,  but  circumstances  then  unknown  foiled  the  plan.  Some  of 
the  regiments  composing  that  corps  did  go  to  pieces  early  in  the 
action,  but  there  were  undoubtedly  as  good  regiments  in  this  corps 
as  in  any  other  in  the  army,  and  an  analysis  of  the  losses  of  some 
of  them,  notably  the  75th  Pennsylvania,  i54th  New  York,  and  zoyth 
Ohio,  will  confirm  this  statement.  The  entire  line  was  raked  by  a 
terrific  tempest  of  shot  and  shell  from  six  batteries,  sweeping  every 
foot  of  ground  with  a  fire  that  would  have  shaken  any  body  of  troops 
so  posted.  They  did  the  best  they  could  in  a  bad  position,  and  made 
a  gallant  fight  against  a  skilful  opponent  possessing  an  immense  advan 
tage  in  everything  necessary  to  success.  Take  it  all  in  all,  the  men  on 
this  ensanguined  field,  both  Union  and  Confederate,  fought  with  a 
courage  unsurpassed  on  any  battle-field  during  the  terrible  war  of 
the  Rebellion. 

SOME    OFFICIAL    FIGURES    ON    GETTYSBURG. 

The  strength  of  the  contesting  armies  at  Gettysburg  has  been  the 
subject  of  much  dispute,  and  the  following  figures,  covering  the  entire 
battle  are  given  for  general  information. 

The  returns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  June  30,  1863,  show 
present  for  duty,  equipped  : 

Infantry.  Artillery.       Cavalry. 

1st  Corps 9,403  619 

2d   Corps 12,363  551 

3d  Corps      11,247  677 

5th  Corps n,954  555 

6th  Corps 14,516  1,039 

nth  Corps 9,197  644 

I2th  Corps      8,193  396 

Cavalry  Corps .    .           14,973 

Artillery  Reserve 335  2,211 

Cavalry  on  corps  duty ,    .  .    .                258 


Total 77,208         6,692  15,23! 

This  gives  a  total  strength  of  99,131  ;  but  all  these  were  not 
actively  engaged  in  the  battle,  Huey's  brigade  of  cavalry  being  with 
the  trains,  and  of  the  6th  Corps,  Wheaton's  division  was  the  only 
infantry  seriously  engaged.  To  obtain  the  actual  number  of  com- 


156  HISTORY  OF   THE 

batants,  deduct  about  fifteen  per  cent,  for  teamsters,  hospital  attend 
ants,  musicians,  and  men  on  detailed  duty. 

The  field  return  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  for  July  4,  1863,  is 
as  follows : 

Strength. 

1st  Corps 5,430 

2d  Corps 6,924 

3d  Corps 6,130 

5th  Corps 9,553 

6th  Corps 12,832 

nth  Corps 5»5I3 

1 2th  Corps 9,7S7 

Total 56,139 

This  does  not  include  the  cavalry  and  reserve  artillery,  but  it  does 
include  some  re-enforcements  received  since  July  i,  among  them 
Stannard's  Vermonters,  assigned  to  the  ist  Corps,  and  Lockwood's 
Marylanders,  to  the  i2th  Corps. 

LOSSES   OF   THE   ARMY    OF   THE    POTOMAC. 

General  Headquarters 4 

1st  Corps 6,059 

2(1  Corps 4*369 

3d  Corps 4,211 

5th  Corps 2,187 

6th  Corps 242 

nth  Corps 3,801 

1 2th  Corps 1,082 

Cavalry  Corps 852 

Artillery  Reserve 242 

Total 23,049 

It  is  more  difficult  to  obtain  correct  figures  for  the  Southern  side, 
some  of  their  officers  apparently  misrepresenting  the  Confederate 
strength  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  their  favorite  theory  that 
they  were  simply  overwhelmed  by  numbers. 

The  returns  for  June  30,  1863,  are  missing,  but  for  May  31  the 
figures  show : 

Total  present 88,754 

Present  for  duty 68,352 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  157 

Their  army  received  heavy  accessions  after  this  date  and  before  cross 
ing  the  Potomac,  many  who  had  been  wounded  returning  to  their 
commands,  and  also  conscripts  and  some  regiments  that  had  been 
on  detached  duty,  these  re-enforcements  undoubtedly  swelling  the 
present  for  duty  to  80,000,  and  it  is  fair  to  say  that  the  above  figures 
represent  the  force  with  which  Lee  fought  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
While  he  had  every  infantry  regiment  engaged,  two  entire  divisions 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  comprising  some  8000  or  9000  good 
soldiers,  did  not  fire  a  musket  during  the  battle. 

The  next  return  of  Lee's  army  is  at  Bunker  Hill,  July  20,  1863, 
and  shows  the  total  present  only,  the  cavalry  not  being  reported. 

ist  Corps,  Longstreet 16,041 

2d  Corps,  Ewell 16,436 

3d  Corps,  Hill 12,198 

Artillery 5>4S7 

Cavalry,  no  report      .    . 

Total 50,162 

Adding  10,000  for  the  cavalry,  would  make  a  total  present  of  about 
60,000,  including  the  detachments  that  joined  the  main  force  on 
the  retreat. 

The  Confederate  loss  is  officially  reported  as  follows : 

1st  Corps,  Longstreet 7>539 

2d  Corps,  Ewell 5,937 

3d  Corps,  Hill 6,735 

Stuart's  cavalry 240 

Total 20,451 

A  study  of  the  above  tables  will  show  that  the  reported  Con 
federate  loss  is  upward  of  10,000  short  of  the  true  figures. 


158  HISTORY  OF   THE 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

FROM  GETTYSBURG  TO  MINE  RUN:  JULY  6  TO  DECEMBER  3,  1863. 

ON  the  6th  of  July  the  pursuit  of  Lee's  army  was  taken  up  by 
Robinson's  division,  and  the  vicinity  of  Emmittsburg  was  reached  at 
nightfall,  the  chase  being  continued  on  the  yth  in  a  terrific  rain-storm 
which  soaked  the  soldiers  to  the  skin  and  rendered  the  roads  almost 
impassable,  the  men's  shoes  being  filled  with  dirt  as  they  tramped 
along  in  the  mud,  wading  through  brooks  and  rivulets  which  had 
overflowed  their  banks  until  they  appeared  like  good  sized  rivers  ;  but 
the  boys  were  in  excellent  spirits,  willing  to  endure  any  amount  of 
hardship  if  Lee's  army  could  be  at  last  bagged.  Captain  Whitesides 
led  the  regiment  in  the  chase. 

On  the  8th  the  regiment  marched  through  Emmittsburg,  Milltown, 
and  Lewistown,  encamping  near  the  Hamburg  Mountains,  and  the 
next  day,  continuing  the  tramp  through  the  rain  and  mud,  passed 
through  Middletown,  and  halted  to  throw  up  intrenchments.  The 
march  was  resumed  on  the  loth,  passing  through  Boonsborough, 
and  on  halting  we  again  threw  up  breastworks,  but  on  the  I2th 
abandoned  the  works  and  marched  to  near  Funkstown,  where  we 
rested  in  sight  of  the  enemy.  On  the  i3th  the  regiment  moved 
out  on  the  skirmish  line  to  feel  the  enemy's  position,  but  the  follow 
ing  morning  it  was  discovered  that  the  rebels  had  crossed  the  river, 
so  we  marched',  to  Williamsport  and  rested  for  the  night.  On  the 
1 5th  we  were  ordered  back,  and  passing  through  Funkstown  and 
Keedysville,  halted  for  the  night  near  a  little  hamlet  called  Smoke- 
town,  the  following  day  marching  through  Burkettsville  and  halting 
near  Berlin,  close  to  the  Potomac.  Dr.  Hayes,  our  assistant  surgeon, 
had  been  transferred  to  the  Qth  New  York  on  the  loth,  and  Dr. 
Rawlins  was  sent  for  temporary  duty  to  the  poth  on  the  i6th. 

Since  July  4  it  had  stormed  almost  every  day,  and  the  men  were 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  159 

in  a  sorry  condition  ;  but  they  patiently  trudged  along  in  the  mire, 
on  short  rations,  scantily  clothed,  bivouacking  on  the  wet  ground 
at  night  or  standing  picket  in  the  rain  and  darkness, — all  without  a 
murmur,  except  from  the  old  growlers,  who  would  grumble  anyhow. 

On  July  17  the  morning  report  gave  the  strength  of  the  regiment 
as  176.  Of  these,  twenty-one  were  on  extra  duty,  sick,  music,  etc., 
leaving  about  150  for  active  service  ;  total  present  and  absent  378. 

On  July  1 8  the  Potomac  was  crossed,  our  apology  for  a  band 
treating  us  to  "Dixie"  as  the  sacred  soil  was  again  invaded;  the 
march  was  continued  to  Waterford,  and  on  the  iQth  to  Hampton, 
over  the  same  route  taken  in  November,  1862.  On  the  22d  marched 
down  the  valley  west  of  the  Bull  Run  Mountains,  halting  beyond 
Warrenton  on  the  23d. 

To  fill  up  the  depleted  ranks,  on  July  26  the  following  detail  was 
made  to  bring  up  conscripts  :  Captain  Richards,  Lieutenants  Nunne- 
ville  and  Hanlon,  Sergeants  J.  R.  Jones  and  J.  Hartman,  Corporals 
G.  W.  Armstrong  and  Gideon  Moyer,  and  Privates  H.  Arnold  and 
William  Strickland.  The  ranks  were  further  weakened  on  August 
ii  and  12,  when  William  Hoffman,  A.  J.  Schreffler,  Joel  Reifsnyder, 
Frank  Charles,  C.  Winn,  and  J.  Weiser  were  sent  to  the  hospital. 

The  conscripts  failed  to  materialize,  but  a  few  old  soldiers  rejoined 
the  regiment,  among  them  Frank  Murphy,  on  July  30 ;  John  D. 
Vautier,  on  August  12;  Captain  Patterson,  Lieutenant  Levan,  and 
John  Sanders,  on  the  i4th;  and  A.  J.  Schreffler,  F.  Charles,  and 
Edward  Young,  on  August  24.  On  this  date  168  men  of  all  grades 
were  reported  present;  Captain  Patterson  in  command. 

On  the  ist  of  August  the  Rappahannock  was  crossed  at  the  rail 
road,  the  hills  on  the  south  side  being  occupied  and  fortified  by  a 
substantial  line  of  rifle-pits,  the  enemy's  pickets  about  two  miles 
distant.  On  August  15  all  the  troops  recrossed  the  river  except  the 
6th  New  York  Sharp-shooters,  poth  and  88th  Pennsylvania,  who 
passed  a  pleasant  time,  the  duty  being  easy,  rations  good,  washing 
and  bathing  in  the  river  very  convenient,  and  the  drilling  not 
onerous. 

Being  the  outpost  of  the  army,  the  regiment  was  thrown  into  a 
ferment  of  excitement  on  August  19  by  an  excited  cavalryman 
dashing  into  camp  at  a  John  Gilpin  pace  and  reporting  the  enemy 


160  HISTORY  OF   THE 

advancing  in  three  lines.  Every  effort  was  promptly  made  to  repel 
this  attack,  the  i2th  Massachusetts — a  reliable  regiment — coming 
over  the  river  on  the  double-quick  and  with  our  boys  manning  the 
rifle  pits,  eagerly  watching  the  woods  in  front  for  the  coming  foe; 
but  they  came  not,  except  in  the  mind  of  the  demoralized  messenger, 
and  in  a  few  hours  peace  again  reigned  in  camp,  the  New  England- 
ers  returning  to  their  quarters  and  the  men  of  the  88th  and  goth  to 
trading  camp  yarns  and  kindred  amusements. 

On  the  night  of  September  7  one  of  the  sentinels  was  surprised  to 
see  a  soldier — Neptune-like — emerge  from  the  river,  his  garments 
dripping  with  water.  He  proclaimed  himself  a  deserter  from  the 
28th  Massachusetts,  supposing  we  were  part  of  the  Confederate 
army,  and  the  guards  on  the  reserve,  without  enlightening  him, 
pumped  him  of  all  the  information  he  possessed.  Next  morning, 
when  he  saw  the  stars  and  stripes  overhead,  he  realized  his  position 
and  begged  to  be  let  off,  but  was  sent  to  his  regiment  under  guard. 
What  became  of  the  knave  we  never  knew. 

News  of  the  capture  of  Morris  Island  and  the  bombardment  of 
Charleston  was  promulgated  by  official  orders  on  the  loth  of  Septem 
ber,  the  soldiers  receiving  the  tidings  with  hearty  satisfaction.  On 
September  12  large  bodies  of  cavalry  massed  on  the  opposite  bank, 
crossing  the  river  early  on  the  i3th  and  going  for  the  Confederate 
troopers  hot-footed.  The  first  charges  could  be  plainly  seen  from 
the  hill,  and  when  the  enemy  had  been  forced  back,  the  rum 
bling  of  cannon,  the  wounded  in  the  ambulances,  together  with  the 
captured  guns  and  many  prisoners  going  to  the  rear,  indicated  the 
nature  of  the  sport  that  the  boots  and  saddles  were  having  at  Cul- 
peper.  The  2d  Corps  also  crossed  the  river  and  marched  towards 
the  firing. 

The  paymaster  came  to  camp  on  the  i5th,  and  after  the  boys  had 
received  their  "dingbats,"  they  struck  tents  and,  crossing  the  river, 
rejoined  the  brigade.  At  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  i6th 
the  river  was  recrossed,  the  division  marching  under  a  scorching  sun 
some  twelve  miles  to  the  vicinity  of  Stevensville,  encamping  here 
until  the  2oth,  when  the  tents  were  pitched  near  Stony  or  Pony 
Mountain,  at  which  place  the  division — 4000  strong — was  drilled 
by  General  Robinson. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  161 

While  on  the  march  to  this  camp  the  regiment  halted  late  one 
afternoon,  preparatory  to  bivouacking  for  the  night.  A  fence  of 
nice  dry  rails,  probably  the  only  one  remaining  in  this  section,  en 
closed  the  lot,  and  as  soon  as  arms  were  stacked  each  man  went  for 
a  fence-rail  for  firewood ;  but  as  they  were  triumphantly  toting  the 
rails  towards  the  stacks,  it  was  discovered  by  some  one  on  the  bri 
gade  staff  that  the  regiment  was  not  in  its  proper  position,  and  the 
officer  in  command — Captain  Patterson — gave  the  order  to  fall  in. 
Here  was  a  dilemma  for  the  men.  They  did  not  want  to  lose  their 
rails  and  they  must  obey  the  order ;  so  every  man  shouldering  his 
rail,  fell  into  line,  marching  over  to  another  field  a  short  distance 
farther  on.  The  spectacle  was  ludicrous  in  the  extreme,  the  more  so 
as  a  rabbit  ran  along  the  line,  evading  capture  as  he  bounded  through 
the  companies  ;  but  the  climax  was  reached  when  Captain  Patterson 
tried  to  right  dress  the  line  after  halting ;  then  the  rails  were  so 
much  of  a  burden  to  the  men  and  the  sight  was  so  grotesque  that 
Patterson  lost  his  temper,  and  riding  along  the  line,  peremptorily 
ordered  every  man  to  "chuck  them  darned  rails  away,"  which  order 
the  soldiers  obeyed  very  reluctantly.  Then  the  line  was  promptly 
dressed  and  the  rails  recaptured  as  soon  as  ranks  were  broken. 

On  September  24  the  brigade  advanced  to  the  Rapidan,  relieving 
a  portion  of  the  Red  Star  Division  of  the  i2th  Corps,  which  had 
been  ordered  to  the  West,  where  the  men  hoped  to  find  fresher 
pastures  and  more  glory  than  this  blighted  region  afforded,  and  our 
boys  wished  them  God-speed. 

The  rebels  were  at  this  point  in  plain  view  and  easy  range  over 
the  river,  but  as  they  occupied  a  commanding  position,  our  pickets 
were  obliged  to  be  very  civil,  and  were  careful  not  to  make  any 
threatening  demonstration,  so  living  in  quietness  with  our  quondam 
neighbors  across  the  river,  there  being  a  tacit  agreement  not  to  fire 
without  cause.  All  the  movements  of  the  rebels  could  be  observed 
from  our  position,  not  being  more  than  one  hundred  yards  dis 
tant. 

We  were  relieved  from  picket  on  September  26  by  the  3d  Division. 
When  the  relief  column  came  in  view  it  appeared  like  the  advance  of 
our  army,  and  caused  great  commotion  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy, 
mounted  men  dashing  around,  the  infantry  falling  in,  and  the  can- 

ii 


1 62  HISTORY  OF  THE 

noneers  standing  to  their  guns;  but  as  the  relief  dropped  its  men 
at  the  different  posts,  the  suspicions  of  the  Johnnies  were  allayed, 
and  they  settled  down  again  to  peace  and  quietness.  On  the  28th 
the  general  was  sounded  because  of  a  rapid  firing  heard  down  by 
the  river,  but  the  excitement  subsided  when  it  became  known  that 
it  was  only  the  rebel  pickets  emptying  their  rifles.  In  the  evenings 
their  bands  could  be  heard,  the  favorite  tunes  being  "Dixie," 
"Bonnie  Blue  Flag,"  and  "  My  Maryland  ;"  and  so  these  balmy 
days  passed,  we  being  just  near  enough  to  the  enemy  to  give  zest  to 
the  routine  of  camp  life. 

On  October  2  a  deserter  from  the  poth  regiment  was  shot  by  a 
detail  from  the  i2th  Massachusetts,  a  very  sad  sight  as  the  rifles 
were  discharged  and  the  life-blood  spouted  from  the  poor  fellow's 
breast  as  he  fell  back  upon  his  coffin.  Many  who  would  have  faced 
a  battery  unflinchingly  could  not  bear  to  look  at  this  sickening  sight. 
Scarcely  had  the  report  of  the  rifles  been  heard  when  all  along  the 
line  the  regiments  broke  into  column,  and,  exposed  to  the  fury  of  a 
storm  which  suddenly  burst  upon  them,  marched  swiftly  away  from 
the  ghastly  scene. 

Another  incident  of  a  different  nature  occurred  on  October  4, 
when  some  teamsters  attempted  to  confiscate  a  crop  of  corn  in  a 
field  near  the  river  ;  but  the  owner  of  the  corn,  in  command  of  a 
Confederate  battery  posted  on  the  southern  bank,  vetoed  the  pro 
ceeding  by  shelling  the  foragers.  The  shots  were  not  well  ranged, 
but  they  answered  the  purpose :  the  teamsters  suddenly  changed 
their  minds  ;  they  didn't  want  that  corn ;  and  the  way  they  dusted 
out  of  range  was  a  caution.  They  stopped  for  neither  corn-stacks, 
fences,  nor  anything  else  that  impeded  their  flight,  but  made  the 
liveliest  imaginable  tracks  to  the  rear. 

In  the  mean  time  the  strength  of  the  battalion  exhibited  but  slight 
improvement.  On  August  31,  177  men  were  present  with  the  colors, 
and  a  month  later  but  180  answered  roll-call.  On  October  31,  how 
ever,  the  number  had  grown  to  221.  About  the  last  of  August, 
Sergeant  Clemens,  Joel  Reifsnyder,  Wesley  Hoffman,  Charles  Nette, 
and  James  Warren  returned  from  hospital,  and  Harvey  Myers  was 
sent  away  sick.  On  September  13,  Daniel  Hagan  and  Hugh  Mc- 
Mullin  were  detailed  for  duty  with  the  supply  train,  and  on  the  ipth, 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  163 

George  W.  Duey  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  James  Peoples  returning 
from  the  same  on  the  27th. 

On  October  7  and  8  the  hearts  of  all  were  gladdened  by  the  re 
turn  of  a  batch  of  our  boys  who  had  been  captured  at  Gettysburg 
and  entertained  by  the  Johnnies  until  recently.  Genial  James 
Hague  led  the  crowd,  followed  by  G.  W.  Green,  Sergeant  Shirey, 
John  Beaumont,  D.  Trexler,  Samuel  English,  Henry  Wortz,  Isaac 
Krewson,  William  A.  Boyd,  John  Hart,  Willie  Hand,  and  a  few 
days  later  by  Neal  Devine  and  John  S.  Campbell. 

The  regiment  continued  in  this  vicinity  until  October  9,  when  at 
ten  o'clock  at  night  marching  orders  were  received,  and  the  column 
moved  off  silently  at  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  keeping  under 
cover,  and  going  in  a  northeasterly  direction  some  four  or  five  miles 
before  halting.  In  the  regiment  there  were  always  a  few  knowing 
ones  who  by  some  sign  or  other  could  generally  guess  the  destination 
of  the  brigade ;  but  this  movement  was  a  mystery  to  all,  the  wise 
ones  looking  in  vain  for  a  pointer  from  head-quarters,  the  wagon- 
train,  or  any  other  means  usually  employed  to  keep  posted  as  to 
future  movements.  At  nightfall  numerous  camp-fires  were  kindled 
at  the  edge  of  the  woods  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  the  enemy, 
then  the  road  was  taken,  the  troops  halting  near  Pony  Mountain  in 
the  "  wee  sma'  hours."  Before  day-dawn  orders  to  move  were  again 
given,  but  the  march  was  delayed  until  nine  o'clock,  when  the 
column  got  in  motion,  passing  through  Stevensburg  and  fording  the 
chilly  waters  of  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelly's  Ford  in  the  afternoon. 
Here  the  tired  soldiers  bivouacked  for  the  night,  while  the  cavalry 
were  having  a  spirited  engagement  near  Pony  Mountain,  the  sound 
of  the  cannon  being  distinctly  heard.  The  brigade  remained  at  the 
ford  during  the  i2th,  but  at  midnight  the  men  were  aroused,  and,  pro 
ceeding  to  Warrenton  Junction,  formed  line  of  battle  to  protect  the 
immense  wagon-train  parked  there.  The  position  had  hardly  been 
taken  when  the  bugle  sounded  "  Forward,  march,"  head  of  column 
pulling  out  at  once  for  Bristoe,  which  was  reached  at  nightfall,  the 
command  having  marched  not  less  than  thirty  miles  by  the  sinuous 
route  taken. 

At  daybreak  on  the  i4th  the  bugle  sounded  "  Fall  in,"  and  the 
march  was  directed  across  the  country  to  Centreville,  with  skirmish- 


1 64  HISTORY  OF  THE 

ers  out,  rumor  stating  that  Lee  had  the  same  objective.  The  works 
at  Centreville  were  entered  about  noon,  and  in  the  afternoon  the 
smoke  of  the  battle  at  Bristoe  between  Warren  and  Hill  was  seen 
over  the  tree-tops. 

On  October  15  the  regiment  picketed  Cub  Run.  The  view  of  the 
country  from  Centreville  Heights  showed  it  to  be  heavily  wooded 
as  far  as  the  Bull  Run  range,  and  it  was  said  to  be  inhabited  by  many 
wild  animals,  the  pickets  of  the  regiment  being  saluted  during 
the  night  by  the  shrill  yowls  of  wild-cats  or  other  strange  beasts  in 
the  tree-tops.  The  i6th  Maine  relieved  the  regiment  on  the  i6th. 

On  October  19  the  division  marched  through  Bull  Run  battle 
field  and  halted  near  the  burned  town  of  Haymarket.  Here  arms 
were  stacked,  and  while  the  men  were  cooking  coffee,  a  band  of 
Confederate  cavalry  made  a  fierce  onslaught  on  the  battery  a  hun 
dred  yards  or  so  to  the  front,  filling  the  air  with  the  rebel  yell  and 
overrunning  the  batterymen  •  but  the  latter  rallied,  and  before  the 
regiment  could  go  to  the  rescue  they  had  sent  the  Johnnies  dusting 
to  the  Gap,  pelting  them  with  a  shotted  salute  as  they  scurried  away. 
The  troops  lay  on  their  arms  all  night,  and  the  next  morning  the 
88th  and  nth  Regiments  advanced  through  Thoroughfare  Gap  and, 
finding  no  enemy,  encamped  on  the  west  side.  Here  Lieutenant 
Robert  B.  Beath  left  the  regiment  to  accept  a  captaincy  in  the  6th 
United  States  Colored  Infantry,  subsequently  seeing  hard  service 
and  losing  a  leg  in  action  before  Richmond ;  Lieutenant  George  E. 
Wagner  also  accepted  the  same-rank  in  the  8th  Regiment.  Thus  the 
regiment  lost  the  companionship  of  these  two  excellent  officers,  to 
the  regret  of  the  entire  command.  While  at  this  place  several  more 
of  the  Gettysburg  captives  returned  to  the  regiment,  among  them 
Peter  D.  Shearer,  George  W.  Leader,  Mayberry  Dautrich,  William 
Fisher,  C.  D.  Good,  Reuben  Sanders,  and  Charles  Marple,  all  being 
received  with  open  arms  and  feasted  on  hardtack  and  coffee. 

On  October  23,  206  men  were  present,  commanded  by  Captain 
Patterson.  On  October  24  the  brigade  marched  to  Bristoe,  encamp 
ing  on  the  battle  field  where  Warren  defeated  Hill,  the  ground  being 
well  filled  with  Confederate  graves,  mostly  North  Carolinians.  Re 
constructed  the  railroad  until  November  5,  when  camp  "  busted  up," 
the  division  going  to  Catlett's,  and  on  the  6th  to  Kelly's  Ford  to  attack 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  165 

the  enemy,  said  to  be  in  force  there.  While  on  the  road  the  woods 
took  fire,  enveloping  the  country  in  a  pall  of  smoke.  The  enemy 
had  either  been  all  captured  or  had  skedaddled  from  the  Rappahan- 
nock,  so  the  division  forded  the  river  and  struck  for  Brandy  Station. 
On  the  road  many  prisoners  were  met,  and  judging  from  the  sound 
of  the  cannon,  the  boys  were  having  a  frolic  down  near  Culpeper, 
but  Robinson's  division  had  no  share  in  it. 

On  November  9  we  left  the  station  with  the  bibulous  name,  crossed 
the  Rappahannock,  camped  at  Bealeton,  and  earned  our  wages  by 
again  working  on  the  railroad. 

Captain  J.  S.  Steeple  assumed  command  of  the  regiment  on  the 
iSth,  and  Nathan  S.  Auble,  William  Truett,  Daniel  W.  Ney,  Hugh 
Rutherford,  John  F.  Keller,  and  several  others  returned,  making 
230  present ;  aggregate  present  and  absent,  396.  The  command 
remained  in  this  camp  about  two  weeks,  rebuilding  the  railroad 
and  doing  a  minimum  quantity  of  drilling,  with  the  usual  Sunday 
inspection,  which  day  was  further  utilized  by  Chaplain  Clothier  in 
preaching  some  earnest  sermons  to  the  men,  who  were  sadly  in  need 
of  the  good  chaplain's  wholesome  advice. 

On  November  26  pulled  up  stakes,  crossed  the  Rappahannock, 
thence  over  the  Rapidan  at  Gold-Mine  Ford,  bound  on  what  is 
known  as  the  Mine  Run  campaign.  Early  next  morning  the  advance 
was  resumed  through  the  thick  woods,  brush,  and  briers  of  this 
wilderness  until  night,  when  a  halt  was  called  near  the  turnpike. 

On  Saturday  morning,  November  28,  line  of  battle  was  formed 
and  we  advanced  through  the  interlacing  brambles  and  thickets  to  a 
tavern  (presumably  Robertson's),  where  we  ran  against  the  claimants 
of  this  part  of  the  country,  strongly  intrenched  behind  Mine  Run 
and  ready  for  a  quarrel.  The  regiment  was  thrown  out  as  skirmishers 
over  an  open  field,  under  a  heavy  artillery  fire,  to  the  banks  of  the 
run,  and  the  men,  throwing  up  rifle-pits,  lay  low,  looking  at  the  ugly 
intrenchments  on  the  other  side,  manned  by  long  lines  of  graybacks 
with  bristling  bayonets  and  many  cannon  waiting  to  give  the  boys 
in  blue  a  shotted  salute.  All  of  Sunday  was  spent  by  the  Union 
generals  in  trying  to  find  a  vulnerable  point  in  the  Confederate  line, 
and  by  the  men  in  dread  at  the  thought  of  the  proposed  assault 
under  so  many  adverse  conditions.  Meade's  quarters  were  near  by, 


1 66  HISTORY  OF   THE 

and  the  inquisitive  ones  went  there  for  information,  one  well-known 
but  illiterate  soldier  of  the  regiment  affirming  that  he  heard  the  gen 
eral  tell  one  of  his  staff  that  "  we  were  to  charge  the  enemy's  works 
and  not  receive  a  shot  until  we  were  over  their  intrenchments."  He 
insisted  that  his  version  of  the  order  was  correct  in  every  particular, 
notwithstanding  the  hurrah  his  story  created. 

The  brigade  changed  position  on  the  3oth  to  the  right  of  the 
pike,  orders  having  been  promulgated  that  the  Pennsylvania  Re 
serves  would  form  the  storming  line,  with  Robinson  m  support. 
Knapsacks  were  unslung  and  every  preparation  made  for  the  assault ; 
but  as  the  boys  looked  across  the  ravine  at  the  lines  of  strong  works 
on  the  opposite  bank,  they  were  not  very  sanguine  of  getting  back, 
and  pinning  bits  of  paper  on  the  inside  of  their  blouses,  on  which 
were  written  the  name  and  regiment,  for  identity  in  case  of  death, 
they  waited  for  the  orders  to  forward  the  colors. 

Early  on  the  succeeding  morning  the  Union  artillery  opened  a 
fierce  fire  upon  the  Confederates,  for  the  purpose  of  unmasking  their 
cannon  ;  but  the  rebels  responded  very  feebly,  evidently  reserving 
their  fire  for  a  period  when  it  would  be  more  effective.  All  hands 
now  expected  the  bugles  to  sound  the  advance,  but  the  charge  was 
not  made,  and  when  night  came  the  men  rolled  themselves  in  their 
blankets  for  protection  from  the  chilling  wind  that  swept  through 
the  leafless  trees. 

December  i  dawned  clear  and  cold.  At  five  o'clock  the  regiment 
marched  silently  to  the  picket  line,  strict  orders  having  been  issued 
against  unnecessary  noise  and  the  men  forbidden  to  kindle  fires; 
but,  soldier-like,  some  of  the  boys  crawled  down  the  slope  towards 
the  enemy,  and  soon  had  a  surreptitious  fire  doing  excellent  service 
in  preparing  breakfast.  Meantime,  two  or  three  Confederate  sharp 
shooters,  perceiving  their  carelessness,  were  sneaking  down  to  get  a 
shot  at  them,  when  some  pickets  on  the  left  shouted  a  warning  and 
gave  the  Johnnies  a  salute  from  their  rifles.  At  the  alarm  every 
coffee-cooler,  quickly  gathering  up  his  "contraptions,"  scrambled 
up  the  hill  to  a  place  of  safety. 

The  regiment  occupied  the  skirmish  line  during  the  ist,  sometimes 
being  exposed  to  a  galling  artillery  fire  from  both  sides,  and  at  dark, 
after  posting  videttes  well  out,  the  men  lay  down  for  another  night 


CM-TAIN  (IKOKC.K  ]>.   RIIOADS. 
(Killed  at  White  Oak  Swamp.) 


LlKl'TKNANT    A'r\VO()I)    (J.    SlNN. 

(Killed  at  Petersburg.) 


CAPTAIN  J.  PARKER  MARTIN. 


JAMES  (',.  CI.AKK. 


Pnii.ii'  SCHKINEK. 


COMPANY     V. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  167 

of  uneasy  slumber;  but  about  three  o'clock  next  morning  orders 
came  to  quietly  withdraw.  When  the  rear  was  reached  it  was  dis 
covered  that  the  entire  army  had  gone,  so  the  regiment  "  hiked  out" 
for  the  Rapidan,  reaching  Germanna  Ford  at  daylight  and  halting 
about  ten  o'clock,  on  the  road  to  Kelly's  Ford.  The  surprise  of  the 
Confederates  in  the  morning,  when  they  found  the  Union  line 
deserted  and  not  a  Yank  within  ten  miles  of  them,  may  be  im 
agined,  but  the  boys  unanimously  voted  that  they  were  fooled  this 
time,  sure. 

Having  stayed  so  long  in  the  wilderness,  the  men  had  consumed 
all  their  rations,  having  been  compelled  to  contract  their  stomachs 
by  eating  persimmons,  thus  making  their  allowance  of  three  days  last 
six ;  but  the  fasting  was  patiently  endured,  except  when  a  general 
officer  rode  by,  at  which  time  the  entire  line  would  lustily  howl 
"  Hardtack,"  oft  repeated,  much  to  the  disgust  of  the  officer,  who, 
if  he  exhibited  the  least  annoyance,  would  be  saluted  with  such  a 
chorus  of  yells  as  to  be  glad  to  escape  with  all  possible  speed. 

The  march  was  resumed  on  the  3d,  many  of  the  men  being  without 
a  mouthful  of  food,  except  what  was  given  them  by  their  more  provi 
dent  comrades,  who,  in  expectation  of  such  a  famine,  had  carefully 
husbanded  their  provender;  but  at  noon  the  last  cracker  was  eaten, 
with  no  prospect  of  a  near  supply,  the  country  being  entirely  desti 
tute  of  forage  of  any  kind.  The  boys  were  in  pretty  hard  lines  now, 
and  some  of  them  said  that  they  would  never  love  another  country 
if  they  were  going  to  lose  their  coffee  and  lobscouse  in  this  way; 
but  the  punsters  would  have  their  little  jokes,  remarking  that  Uncle 
Sam  was  going  to  give  us  all  a  farm  when  this  cruel  war  was  over. 


1 68  HISTORY  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

FROM  MINE   RUN  TO   THE  WILDERNESS:   DECEMBER  3,    1863,  TO  MAY  I, 

l864. 

WE  reached  Kelly's  Ford  a  little  after  that  traditional  hour  which 
in  better  days  was  called  dinner-time,  and  though  the  water  was  waist 
deep,  very  swift,  and  cold  as  ice,  the  troops,  in  accordance  with 
orders,  plunged  into  the  river  and  waded  to  the  north  bank,  finding 
the  quartermaster  there  waiting  to  distribute  rations, — a  most  wel 
come  surprise  to  the  half-famished  men.  The  bivouac  fires  were 
soon  kindled,  the  brigade  remaining  here  all  night ;  on  the  morn 
ing  of  December  4  the  bugle  sounded  "  Fall  in,"  and  to  the  intense 
disgust  of  all  hands,  the  river  was  forded  again  to  the  south  bank, 
camp  being  formed  in  the  woods  a  mile  from  the  river.  Here 
another  surprise  awaited  us  in  the  shape  of  a  ration  of  fresh  bread, 
the.  first  the  men  had  eaten  for  many  months ;  and  though  Uncle 
Sam  forgot  the  butter,  he  was  voted  a  good  fellow,  the  bread  being 
keenly  relished  by  all. 

An  important  arrival  at  this  time  was  that  "skinner"  known  as 
the  sutler,  who  came  with  loads  of  delicacies  to  which  the  men  were 
strangers;  and  though  he  charged  a  dollar  or  more  for  his  canned 
goods,  he  speedily  had  purchasers  for  all  he  brought.  Another  and 
better  visitor  came  to  camp  in  the  person  of  Colonel  Louis  Wagner, 
who,  having  been  disabled  by  a  severe  wound  received  at  Bull  Run, 
had  been  on  detailed  duty  elsewhere  ;  but  on  December  16  he  paid 
the  camp  a  welcome  visit,  bringing  two  beautiful  new  silk  flags,  a 
present  to  the  regiment,  which  were  formally  given  to  the  command 
at  dress  parade  on  the  i8th,  Major  Alfred  J.  Sellers,  of  the  9<Dth, 
receiving  them  in  behalf  of  the  regiment.  The  flags  represented  the 
national  and  State  colors,  two  blue  silk  markers  completing  the  set. 

The  brigade  broke  camp  on  December  24,  going  to  Mitchell's 
Station  via  Brandy  Station  and  Culpeper,  a  circuitous  route  of  about 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    I'OLS.  169 

twenty-five  miles.  The  next  day  was  Christmas, — a  cold,  cheerless 
day  to  the  soldiers  encamped  in  these  desolate  woods ;  but  a  few  of 
the  men  got  boxes  of  eatables  from  home,  some  containing  a  liquid 
similar  in  name  to  that  of  the  station  on  the  other  side  of  Culpeper. 
On  January  i,  1864,  camp  was  moved  about  a  mile  nearer  Cedar 
Mountain,  Captain  Steeple  being  in  command  of  the  regiment. 
The  following  report  shows  the  strength  of  the  regiment  by  com 
panies,  together  with  the  names  of  the  commanders : 

Field  and  staff  present 4 

Company  A. — Lieutenant  Ninesteel 34 

Company  B. — Sergeant  Swavely 30 

Company  C. — Lieutenant  Walmsley 22 

Company  D. — Sergeant  Hunter 15 

Company  E. — Sergeant  Gilligan 18 

Company  F. — Captain  Rhoads 17 

Company  G. — Lieutenant  Gardiner 7 

Company  H. — Lieutenant  Houder  . 25 

Company    I. — Lieutenant  Nunneville 24 

Company  K. — Captain  Patterson 24 

Total  present 220 

Of  these,  twenty-three  were  sick  or  on  detailed  duty,  leaving  less 
than  200  with  the  colors.  Total  present  and  absent,  380.  Con 
scripts  required  to  fill  the  regiment,  as  per  morning  report,  628. 
The  detail  that  went  for  these  expectant  soldiers  in  July  was  unsuc 
cessful,  the  supply  of  conscripts  at  Camp  Cadwalader  having  run 
short,  so  the  boys  said  ;  consequently,  the  regiment  would  have  to 
wait  for  a  fresh  lot,  and  it  proved  a  long  wait. 

On  January  2  camp  was  removed  to  the  top  of  the  south  spur  of 
Cedar  Mountain,  a  bleak  spot,  the  timber  being  green  and  hard  to 
burn  and  water  very  scarce ;  a  snow-storm  on  the  4th  also  added  to 
the  general  discomfort.  Very  unexpectedly  on  the  5th  the  brigade 
marched  to  Culpeper,  the  regiment  being  quartered  in  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  afterwards  removing  to  a  long  brick  warehouse  opposite 
the  depot;  the  9oth  Pennsylvania  and  i2th  Massachusetts  were  also 
in  town. 

The  question  of  re-enlistment  for  the  war  had  been  agitated  for 
several  days,  the  majority  expressing  a  desire  to  see  the  war  through 


I  70  HISTORY  OF   THE 

and  to  accept  the  furlough  and  bounty  offered  to  all  who  were  eligi 
ble.  The  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  our  sister  regiment,  passed  through 
on  the  nth,  bound  home  on  veteran  furlough,  and  this  event  revived 
the  re-enlistment  fever  until  the  regiment  was  remustered  on  January 
28.  The  veterans  now  anxiously  waited  for  orders  to  go  home,  but 
were  intensely  disgusted  at  receiving  marching  orders  on  the  2Qth, 
going  into  camp  a  mile  or  two  west,  on  the  Sperryville  pike,  only  to 
come  back  to  town  the  next  day.  On  February  4,  1864,  Colonel 
Coulter's  nth  Regiment  took  the  cars  for  home,  and  the  boys  of  the 
88th  thought  that  surely  the  next  day  or  two  would  bring  orders  for 
them;  but  on  the  6th  the  army  began  a  movement  to  the  Rapidan, 
large  numbers  of  troops  passing  through  Culpeper,  most  of  them 
wearing  the  diamond  badge  of  the  3d  Corps.  The  weather  was 
stormy,  and  as  the  mud-bespattered  soldiers  splashed  through  the 
rain  and  mire  they  looked  hard  enough,  and  the  prospect  for  the 
veterans  going  home  appeared  very  poor,  furlough  stock  falling  away 
below  par  on  the  next  day,  when  orders  were  issued  to  pack  up  and 
be  ready  to  march  at  the  traditional  moment's  notice;  but,  to  the 
great  relief  of  everybody,  the  3d  Corps  came  marching  back  during 
the  afternoon. 

At  last  the  long-expected  furlough  for  the  re-enlisted  came,  and 
on  the  9th  of  February  they  left  Culpeper  on  their  way  to  greet 
their  families  and  to  meet  friends  whom  they  had  not  seen  for  more 
than  two  years,  many  of  the  soldiers  not  having  been  home  since 
October,  1861.  The  veterans  who  remained  were  sent  to  Colonel 
Lyle's  regiment,  encamped  on  the  Sperryville  pike,  until  the  bat 
talion  should  return  from  furlough.  There  were  quite  a  number  in 
this  detachment,  including  Sergeants  Swavely  and  Montgomery, 
Privates  Reuben  Neider,  Edward  Ball,  Charles  H.  Turner,  Peter  D. 
Shearer,  Charles  S.  Butler,  Tobias  Deemer,  Isaac  Brown,  A.  Water 
man,  H.  C.  Richardson,  Harry  Booz,  William  Campbell,  G.  Lukens, 
B.  Markley,  Adam  Hersh,  Jacob  Drexle,  J.  Reifsnyder,  Frank  Hel 
ler,  Hugh  Rutherford,  James  Perara,  Edward  Nunneville,  Neal  De- 
vine,  J.  D.  Vautier,  and  others,  who  were  organized  as  an  inde 
pendent  company  of  the  90th  Regiment,  Lieutenant  Jewell  being 
assigned  to  command,  and  the  boys  dubbing  the  detachment  Com 
pany  Q. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  171 

In  due  time  the  regiment  reached  Philadelphia  and  was  given  a 
rousing  reception  by  the  citizens,  while  the  squad  with  the  Qoth 
made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  possible,  erecting  log  huts  and 
going  into  winter-quarters.  Duty  was  light,  and  the  boys  passed  a 
pleasant  time  knocking  around  camp  in  daytime  and  attending  the 
meetings  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  the  neighboring  chapels  at 
night,  at  which  places  many  of  the  soldiers  were  converted,  making 
a  public  profession  of  religion. 

On  March  22  ten  inches  of  snow  fell,  but  the  warm  sun  that  suc 
ceeded  soon  melted  it.  Struck  tents  on  April  3  and  marched  to 
Mitchell's  Station,  occupying  the  abandoned  camp  of  the  loyth 
Pennsylvania,  where  the  command  remained  until  the  loth  of  April, 
when  news  came  that  the  veterans  were  coming  to  the  front  again, 
putting  on  their  war-paint,  and  the  88th  having  returned  and  all 
things  being  in  readiness,  the  army  would  soon  move ;  that  the  com 
manding  general  had  been  anxious  to  tackle  the  rebs  for  several  days, 
but  refused  to  budge  a  step  until  assured  of  the  support  of  the  88th. 
This  is  what  the  boys  of  Company  Q  affirmed,  but  the  veterans 
simply  said  that  it  was  a  lie. 

The  detachment  had  been  with  Colonel  Lyle  exactly  two  months. 
The  veterans  were  found  encamped  on  the  Sperryville  pike  near 
Culpeper,  and  many  happy  greetings  were  exchanged  after  so  long  a 
separation.  They  told  of  the  good  times  they  had  had  at  home, 
and  nearly  all  of  them  had  purchased  new  uniforms  of  fine  cloth, 
artistically  trimmed  with  braid  and  binding,  presenting  a  sharp  con 
trast  on  dress  parade  to  the  plain  clothing  furnished  by  Uncle  Sam 
to  those  who  did  not  go  home ;  but  after  a  few  weeks'  wear  and  con 
sequent  exposure  to  the  rain  and  sun  the  contrast  was  even  more 
striking,  as  the  fancy  uniforms  lost  color  and  shrunk  from  the  original 
cuts,  this  time  the  difference  being  in  favor  of  the  men  who  remained 
in  the  field. 

The  furloughed  men  returned  slowly;  on  April  12,  at  dress  parade, 
less  than  one  hundred  men  were  in  line,  thirty-nine  of  these  being 
from  Company  Q;  but  at  length  they  all  arrived,  together  with  about 
sixty  recruits  who  had  been  induced  to  join  the  regiment.  Active 
preparations  were  now  made  for  the  spring  campaign.  The  army 
was  reorganized,  the  ist  Corps  consolidating  with  the  5th,  under 


I?2  HISTORY  OF   THE 

General  Warren,  the  badge  being  a  circle  with  Maltese  cross  within. 
Good  progress  was  made  in  drilling,  target  practice,  inspections, 
reviews,  and  so  on,  the  regiment  now  numbering  about  three 
hundred  men,  commanded  by  Major  Steeple ;  but  many  excellent 
officers  and  soldiers  were  still  absent,  among  them  Company  B's 
commissioned  officers  and  Captain  Schell,  of  Company  I,  all  having 
been  captured  at  Gettysburg  and  still  held  as  prisoners  of  war. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  173 


CHAPTER    XX. 

WITH    GRANT    IN    THE    WILDERNESS:    MAY  I   TO   7,    1 864. 

SUNDAY,  May  i,  pleasant  and  quiet;  preaching  by  Chaplain 
Clothier.  Christian  Commission  delegates  going  home, — chapels 
closed ;  the  calm  before  the  storm.  Boys  all  happy,  though,  be 
cause  we  are  going  to  end  the  war  right  off.  May  2,  stormy,  but 
clear  again  on  the  3d,  and  the  great  southward  movement  has 
begun. 

The  88th  struck  tents  at  eleven  P.M.  Detailed  for  wagon  guard, 
and  with  the  trains  reached  Brandy  Station  at  daybreak ;  but  if  there 
was  any  brandy  about  other  than  the  name,  the  officers  had  it  all, 
the  privates  did  not  even  smell  it. 

No  halt  was  made  at  this  place,  but  turning  southward,  the  march 
was  directed  to  the  Rapidan ;  indeed,  the  entire  country  was  filled 
with  marching  troops  and  moving  trains,  all  bound  south.  On  the 
4th  the  march  was  continued  towards  the  river ;  being  compelled  to 
cover  the  train,  our  progress  was  slow,  and  the  men  were  constantly 
enveloped  in  a  stifling  cloud  of  dust  that  covered  them  from  head  to 
foot,  causing  them  to  resemble  graybacks  rather  than  honest  blue- 
coats.  As  the  sun  was  sinking  behind  the  crimson  western  clouds 
the  river-bank  was  reached,  and,  parking  the  train,  the  regiment 
bivouacked  in  the  fields  for  the  night. 

The  Rapidan  was  crossed  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  at  Gold-Mine 
Ford,  at  which  place  many  buildings  and  shafts  indicated  the  loca 
tion  of  the  abandoned  workings,  and  climbing  the  steep  banks,  we 
were  on  the  edge  of  that  dark  region  known  as  the  Wilderness,  not 
searching  for  gold,  but  for  the  Johnny  Rebs,  who,  according  to  in 
dications,  would  not  be  very  hard  to  find.  The  regiment  rested 
under  the  trees,  an  occasional  report  of  a  cannon  or  a  rifle  telling 
that  the  advance  was  feeling  for  the  enemy;  but  about  four  o'clock, 
when  the  line  again  formed  and  the  march  was  resumed,  the  sound 


174  HISTORY  OF  THE 

had  increased  to  a  long,  steady  roll  of  musketry  with  the  deep  bass 
of  the  artillery  rumbling  through  the  trees ;  this  was  the  music  of 
the  battle-field,  the  diminuendo  and  crescendo  of  the  terrible  refrain  : 

The  rattling  musketry,  the  clashing  blade, 
And  ever  and  anon,  in  tones  of  thunder, 
The  diapason  of  the  cannonade. 

The  crackle  of  the  rifles  resounding  through  the  gloom  resembled 
the  noise  made  by  swiftly  rasping  a  stick  along  a  paling  fence,  or 
by  packs  of  shooting-crackers  exploding  in  a  barrel,  and  as  the  men 
listened  to  the  ominous  sounds  that  indicated  the  bloody  work  ahead, 
every  voice  was  stilled,  nothing  was  heard  in  the  ranks  but  the  steady 
tramp,  tramp,  or  the  incisive  command,  "Close  up,  men;  close 
up." 

At  dusk  a  halt  was  ordered,  and  the  command  rested  until  three 
o'clock  A.M.  of  the  6th,  when  the  march  was  resumed,  the  ist  Bri 
gade  being  soon  found.  It  had  been  in  action,  and  had  lost  heavily 
in  killed  and  wounded.  All  day  long  the  sun  was  scorching  hot, 
but  the  dense  clouds  of  smoke  and  the  trees  somewhat  obscured  its 
rays,  affording  a  welcome  protection  to  the  men.  The  brigade  lay 
in  reserve  on  the  ford  road,  listening  to  the  sounds  of  battle  coming 
sometimes  through  the  woods  in  front,  again  in  intermittent  spells 
on  the  right  or  left ;  but  suddenly  it  burst  with  great  fury  on  the 
right,  and  the  bugles  pealing  out  "Fall  in,"  the  brigade  quickly 
reached  the  threatened  point.  The  enemy  was  soon  repulsed,  how 
ever,  and,  returning  to  near  the  first  position,  we  constructed  a  slight 
breastwork  of  logs  and  earth ;  but  later  in  the  day,  the  firing  in 
creasing  on  the  left,  the  column  was  hurried  there  only  to  find  that 
the  enemy  had  been  driven  back,  when  we  built  more  breastworks, 
remaining  here  all  night,  ready  for  action. 

The  night  passed,  however,  with  nothing  more  serious  than  a 
few  false  alarms,  and  at  the  first  blush  of  dawn  the  men  were  up, 
cooking  their  morning  meal  of  coffee,  hardtack,  and  toasted  pork. 
After  breakfast  a  long  line  of  low  earthworks  was  thrown  up  along 
the  road  and  skirmishers  sent  into  the  woods  to  locate  the  enemy's 
position ;  but  they  had  scarcely  disappeared  among  the  trees  when 
the  Confederates  made  an  attack  a  half-mile  or  more  down  the 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  '175 

road.  Our  troops,  kneeling  in  their  low  breastworks,  at  once 
opened  on  the  Johnnies  as  they  emerged  from  the  slashed  timber, 
the  fire  gradually  running  along  the  line  until  it  reached  the  88th. 
Our  men  knew  that  there  could  be  no  enemy  in  front,  as  the  de 
tail  of  skirmishers  had  gone  into  the  woods  not  ten  minutes  before, 
and  as  the  firing  reached  the  regiment,  some  of  the  boys  mounted 
the  logs  and  ordered  it  to  cease,  at  the  same  time  looking  towards 
the  woods  to  see  if  the  rebels  were  coming,  but  not  a  grayback  was 
in  sight.  But  though  the  Confederates  did  not  appear,  our  skir 
mishers  did,  for  the  smoke  had  scarcely  lifted  before  Clemens,  Booz, 
and  the  rest  of  them  came  tearing  out  of  the  woods,  inquiring  in 
very  vehement  language  as  to  the  cause  of  this  fire  in  their  rear.  It 
would  be  putting  it  very  mildly  to  say  that  they  were  mad  about  it ; 
they  threatened  to  charge  the  regiment  and  clean  the  whole  gang 
out  if  it  was  repeated,  and  those  on  the  left  of  the  battalion  who 
had  fired  into  the  woods  were  soundly  berated  and  warned  to  be 
more  careful  in  the  future. 

The  skirmishers  could  not  find  any  one  to  fight,  so,  calling  them 
in  late  in  the  afternoon,  the  column  marched  back  to  near  the  Lacey 
house,  being  massed  in  the  centre.  Dry  wood  was  very  scarce,  but 
a  frame  school-house  standing  by  the  road  was  quickly  pulled  to 
pieces,  and  the  men  soon  had  their  scanty  suppers  cooked  and 
eaten. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  fell,  bodies  of  moving  troops,  with  the 
occasional  flash  of  a  cannon,  could  be  seen  several  miles  out  in  the 
direction  of  the  Catharpin  road,  and  it  was  rumored  that  the  enemy 
was  preparing  for  a  retreat.  The  questions  of  interest  among  the 
men  were  whether  the  battle  was  over  and  what  the  next  move 
would  be,  back  across  the  river  or  straight  after  the  enemy;  but 
about  nine  o'clock  at  night,  when  the  head  of  column  pulled  out, 
headed  south,  the  matter  was  settled:  the  campaign  was  to  be 
fought  through  to  the  end ;  no  more  retreating,  but  a  steady  advance 
to  where  the  enemy  should  make  a  stand.  The  column  marched 
quietly  along  towards  Spottsylvania  Court-House  until  the  Brock 
road  was  reached ;  then,  from  some  unknown  cause,  long  and  vexa 
tious  delays  occurred,  comparatively  little  progress  being  made. 
The  column  would  start,  march  probably  one  hundred  yards,  then 


176  HISTORY  OF   THE 

halt,  and  just  as  the  men  were  about  to  lie  down,  would  start  again, 
repeating  this  over  and  over ;  so  the  exhausting  march  continued 
for  hours,  being  the  most  cruel  and  aggravating  kind  of  a  night 
march  to  which  tired  soldiers  could  be  subjected.  At  such  times 
the  patience  as  well  as  the  endurance  of  the  men  were  tried  to  the 
utmost,  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  good-natured  fellows  who 
gave  a  humorous  turn  to  everything,  they  would  have  died  of  the 
blues.  Stumbling  and  groping  through  the  darkness,  in  the  small 
hours,  Sam  Fusman's  cheery  voice  was  heard  :  "  Halloo,  Copey ;  are 
you  there?"  and  upon  receiving  a  response,  "Well,  then,  stay 
there."  When  every  one  was  so  tired  that  a  bed  of  thorns  would 
have  been  esteemed  one  of  roses,  "  Fussy"  edged  towards  "  Copey" 
and  inquired  if  he  had  ever  heard  Mr.  Shakespeare's  thrilling  lines, — 

We'll  all  drink  stone  blind ; 
Johnny,  fill  up  the  bowl. 

Copestick  disputed   the  authorship;    said   he   wrote  that  poetry 
himself,  and  that  we  should 

all  be  forgotten  one  hundred  years  hence, 
and  wanted  to  know 

What  shall  we  do  when  the  war  breaks  the  country  up 
And  scatters  the  darkies  all  around  ? 

And  with  these  scintillations  of  humor  the  weary  march  was  con 
tinued  through  the  dreary  night. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA,    VOLS.  177 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

LAUREL    HILL    AND    SPOTTSYLVANIA :    MAY    8    TO    2O,     1864. 

ABOUT  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  May  (Sunday) 
the  head  of  column  reached  the  cavalry,  who  were  exchanging  shots 
with  the  enemy  a  mile  down  the  road.  The  regiment  filed  off  the 
road  to  the  right,  resting  for  an  hour  among  the  erqbers  and  ashes 
of  the  burning  woods,  when  the  command  to  fall  in  was  given,  and 
just  as  daylight  was  breaking  the  column  moved  forward,  passing 
the  horses  of  the  cavalry,  then  filing  to  the  right  and  coming  into 
line  of  battle.  Every  preparation  was  now  made  for  a  fight, — flags 
unfurled,  guns  loaded  and  primed,  and  at  the  command  "Fix  bayo 
nets,"  the  sharp  click  of  the  rattling  steel  ran  down  the  line  like 
a  miniature  volley  of  pistol-shots.  When  everything  was  ready 
the  brigade  bugle  sounded  the  advance,  and  Captain  Rhoads  gave 
the  order  "  Attention,  88th.  Carry  arms.  Forward,  guide  centre, 
march,"  and  at  the  order  the  battalion  stepped  briskly  forward, 
shoulder  to  shoulder,  in  line  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade.  The  line 
soon  ran  into  a  high  snake- fence,  which  was  quickly  demolished, 
and  as  the  column  emerged  from  the  woods  it  received  the  fire  of 
the  enemy  posted  in  the  edge  of  another  woods  on  a  hill  across  the 
fields  about  two  hundred  yards  distant,  a  swamp  being  in  the  middle 
of  the  intervening  field.  In  grand  array  the  blue  line  swept  over 
the  field  with  flags  unfurled,  and  as  the  combatants  approached  each 
other  the  enemy  fired  more  rapidly,  knocking  a  man  over  here  and 
there,  but  their  cannon-shots  flew  wildly  overhead. 

When  the  soldiers  reached  the  swamp,  it  was  found  to  be  impassa 
ble  except  by  a  narrow  foot-path,  and  along  this  path  Sergeant  Clevin- 
ger  dashed,  followed  by  about  twenty  of  the  regiment,  who,  vaulting 
the  fence  and  scaling  the  hill  on  the  other  side,  gave  the  fleeing 
Southerners  a  few  parting  shots  to  accelerate  their  speed.  The  lines 
now  reformed,  the  men  congratulating  each  other  on  the  easy  vie- 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE 

tory  and  telling  of  the  incidents  and  narrow  escapes  in  the  charge. 
One  of  the  close  calls  noticed  was  that  of  Peter  D.  Shearer,  who 
was  fired  at  by  a  Confederate  sharp-shooter,  the  ball  skimming  by 
Shearer's  ear  and  burying  itself  in  the  blanket  rolled  on  his  knap 
sack. 

As  soon  as  the  regiments  were  in  line  the  bugle  sounded  the 
advance,  and  the  brigade  again  moved  forward  through  the  woods, 
over  fences,  and  through  a  large  clearing  known  as  Alsop's  farm. 
Here  line  of  battle  was  formed  brigade  front,  and,  moving  forward, 
we  passed  the  farm  buildings,  then  through  a  thick  belt  of  timber, 
and  came  out  in  a  large  open  field,  the  enemy  being  strongly  posted 
behind  works  some  three  or  four  hundred  yards  on  the  opposite 
side. 

The  brigade,  supporting  some  other  troops,  marched  straight 
across  the  field,  receiving  the  enemy's  fire  when  about  half  way  over, 
but  this  did  not  for  a  moment  check  its  advance ;  in  some  places 
the  works  were  scaled  and  the  regimental  colors  planted  on  the 
captured  line.  But  the  advantage  was  all  on  the  Confederate  side ; 
being  sheltered,  they  were  comparatively  safe,  while  the  Union  bat 
talions  were  raked  by  a  severe  artillery  and  musketry  fire,  the  plain 
being  strewn  with  the  disabled,  while  many  of  the  slightly  wounded 
were  streaming  to  the  rear;  still,  the  survivors  stuck  to  their  position 
and  essayed  by  a  rapid  musketry  fire  to  drive  the  enemy  off.  This 
unequal  contest  continued  for  some  time,  when  the  Confederates 
(Kershaw's  and  Humphrey's  brigades)  threw  out  a  large  force  on 
our  left  flank.  The  first  intimation  that  our  men  had  of  the  presence 
of  this  force  was  when  they  received  a  cutting  flank  fire  which 
enfiladed  the  line  from  left  to  right ;  then  it  was  time  to  go,  and 
every  man  that  could  get  back  did  so  without  delay.  It  was  a 
plucky  advance  and  well  maintained,  but  circumstances  (and  the 
Johnnies)  compelled  a  retreat. 

Upon  reaching  the  friendly  covert  of  the  woods,  the  men  halted 
to  take  breath,  while  a  brass  band  struck  up  the  inspiriting  tune, 
"  Hail  Columbia;"  but  the  soldiers  kept  right  on  to  the  rear,  helped 
along  wonderfully  by  a  few  rebel  batteries  which  administered  an 
extra  dose  of  "  Hail  Columbia"  as  they  retreated  through  the  woods. 
In  the  fields  around  the  farm-house  the  men  stopped  and  reformed. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  179 

The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  about  fifty,  among  the  killed  being 
Sergeant  Eagle,  George  W.  Rodgers,  John  Irwin,  and  Amos  Fisher. 

As  the  shades  of  night  fell  upon  the  scene,  amid  the  smoke  and 
battle-pall,  the  brigade  quietly  marched  to  the  front  again,  passing 
in  the  twilight  by  the  roadside  a  mortally-wounded  soldier,  with  his 
head  resting  upon  a  comrade's  knee,  who  was  intently  reading  from 
a  small  book  to  his  dying  companion.  It  is  needless  to  surmise, 
under  the  circumstances,  what  book  it  was. 

Upon  arriving  at  the  front  we  took  position  in  reserve,  and  the 
weary  soldiers  rested  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of  May  9  the 
regiment  changed  position  several  times,  at  one  point  the  Confeder 
ate  wagon-train  being  in  plain  view  a  mile  or  two  distant,  travelling 
down  the  Catharpin  road.  The  opposing  lines  were  uncomfortably 
close,  the  bullets  zipping  and  spinning  around  ih  a  most  unhealthy 
manner,  and  the  soldiers  erected  numerous  bullet-proofs  from  the 
old  logs  lying  around. 

In  the  afternoon  the  brigade  advanced  through  the  woods  to  the 
skirmish  line,  then  held  by  the  Bucktails.  The  enemy's  works  were 
about  two  hundred  yards  distant  and  very  strongly  built,  but  it 
wasn't  healthy  for  a  Johnny  to  show  his  head.  Back  somewhere 
they  had  a  battery  which  had  good  range  of  our  position,  and  their 
gunners  kept  up  an  interesting  fire,  much  to  our  discomfort.  They 
threw  canister,  and  the  charges  whizzed  directly  over  the  heads  of  the 
men ;  luckily,  however,  the  shots  always  struck  a  little  too  far  front 
or  to  the  rear,  and  then  went  buzzing  like  an  angry  swarrn  of  hornets, 
and  every  man  was  sure  that  the  next  shot  would  settle  his  hash ; 
but  though  there  were  many  narrow  escapes,  no  more  harm  was 
done  than  badly  frightening  the  men  as  they  crouched  on  the 
ground.  After  having  been  subjected  to  this  harassing  fire  for 
some  time  the  regiment  was  ordered  back,  and  right  gladly  did  the 
men  leave  the  "bad  lands,"  the  Bucktails  again  taking  possession 
and  looking  after  their  friends  the  graybacks. 

About  noon  of  the  roth  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  again  assault 
these  works,  and  accordingly  advanced  through  the  woods  to  the 
charge.  The  enemy  had  cut  down  all  the  trees  in  front  of  his 
position,  felling  them  outward  and  trimming  the  branches,  thus 
forming  an  impenetrable  abatis  that  the  Union  soldiers  could  not 


l8o  HISTORY  OF   THE 

enter;  behind  this  tangle,  stretched  to  the  right  and  left,  were 
elaborate  fortifications  several  feet  high,  manned  by  Confederate 
riflemen,  who  poured  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  division  as  it  un 
covered  from  the  woods.  The  advancing  line  went  as  far  as  the 
obstructions  would  allow,  and  opened  a  rapid  but  apparently  ineffec 
tive  fusillade  upon  the  men  back  of  the  works,  probably  fifty  or  one 
hundred  yards  distant.  This  contest  was  maintained  some  fifteen 
or  twenty  minutes,  when  our  commanders,  seeing  the  impossibility 
of  taking  the  works,  ordered  a  retreat,  which  was  promptly  obeyed 
in  good  order  and  without  a  murmur  of  disapproval,  except  that  the 
bodies  of  the  killed  were  necessarily  left  where  they  fell.  The  loss 
of  the  regiment  in  this  short  but  sanguinary  duel  was  thirty-eight 
killed  and  wounded, — about  one  out  of  every  four  that  went  into  the 
action. 

As  usual,  the  casualties  included  some  of  the  bravest  members  of 
the  regiment.  Sergeants  Charles  A.  Sines  and  James  A.  Devlin, 
Privates  James  Spear,  John  Simms,  David  C.  Davis,  John  F.  Good- 
heart,  Joseph  Myers,  David  G.  Arnot,  C.  Nette,  and  William  Raider 
were  either  killed  or  mortally  wounded,  and  among  the  many  others 
severely  wounded  were  Sergeants  Koch,  Robert  Herron,  and  C. 
Strohecker,  Captain  Bemesderfer,  James  Hague,  Lieutenant  Nichols, 
Joseph  Burris,  George  W.  Hain,  George  Bossier,  Reuben  Drexle, 
Samuel  C.  Fusman,  James  C.  Richardson,  John  McKee,  and  Charles 
Burbridge. 

As  the  men  were  coming  slowly  back  through  the  woods,  the 
ist  Division,  wearing  the  red  Maltese  cross,  was  met  marching  up, 
going  in  to  try  their  hands  on  the  Confederate  intrenchments ;  but 
they  did  not  stay  long,  having  accomplished  just  what  we  did, — 
namely,  lost  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded  and  then  retired.  In 
the  afternoon  heavy  columns  of  troops  wearing  the  lozenge  or  dia 
mond  badge  of  the  old  3d  Corps  were  massed  in  an  open  field  in 
the  rear,  preparatory  to  a  grand  assault  on  the  works  which  the  old 
ist  Corps  had  failed  to  take.  The  rebels  evidently  suspected  some 
movement  on  our  part,  for  they  opened  a  fierce  cannonade,  and, 
being  within  easy  range  of  their  batteries,  they  raked  the  ground 
with  a  howling  tempest  of  flying  projectiles,  which  whizzed,  struck, 
and  burst  in  such  close  proximity  to  the  regiment  that  it  seemed  as 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  181 

if  every  man  would  be  torn  to  pieces  by  the  awful  instruments  of 
destruction  falling  almost  everywhere,  the  exception  being  where  the 
men  were  lying.  Sometimes  in  this,  as  in  similar  cannonades,  it 
was  noticed  that  the  cannon-balls  would  strike  all  around  a  body  of 
men,  but  seldom  among  them.  There  were,  of  course,  many  ex 
ceptions  to  this  rule, — as,  for  example,  where  a  single  shell  had  dis 
abled  many;  but  to  a  soldier  lying  on  the  ground  the  noise  of  one 
of  these  projectiles  is  more  terrible  than  the  d image  usually  warrants. 
The  Union  batteries  quickly  replied,  and  between  the  noise  of  the 
guns  and  the  exploding  shells  the  place  received  a  shaking  up  such 
as  these  old  woods  had  never  before  experienced  and  it  is  hoped 
never  will  in  future. 

While  this  infernal  uproar  continued,  a  huge  black  snake,  awak 
ened  by  the  unearthly  clatter,  made  his  debut  among  the  men  of 
the  88th  ;  presumably,  he  came  to  see  what  all  the  racket  was  about. 
There  was  a  grand  scattering  of  the  men,  and  it  seemed  for  a  little 
while  that  the  snake  would  do  what  the  rebs  couldn't, — put  the  regi 
ment  to  flight;  but  the  boys  rallied,  and,  charging  his  snakeship, 
soon  impaled  him  on  a  sharp  bayonet.  In  a  field  in  the  rear  lay  the 
3d  Corps,  much  exposed  to  this  iron  tempest,  and,  like  us,  the  men 
sought  protection  by  hugging  the  ground,  though  one  fellow  caused 
much  merriment  by  hiding  behind  an  empty  barrel.  A  prominent 
figure  was  the  color-bearer  of  one  of  the  regiments,  who,  disdaining 
to  lie  down,  stood  erect  with  his  flag  in  his  hand.  Presently,  with 
a  fiendish  shriek,  a  shell  struck  the  ground  in  front  of  the  color- 
bearer  and  exploded,  throwing  up  a  cloud  of  dust  and  smoke  and 
hiding  him  from  view.  We  all  thought  the  brave  fellow  had  been 
blown  to  pieces;  but  soon  the  smoke  rolled  away,  the  dust  settled, 
and  "our  flag  was  still  there."  Unharmed  and  erect  as  ever,  the 
heroic  standard-bearer  stood  as  though  on  dress  parade. 

After  the  fierce  cannonading  had  ceased  this  massed  force  moved 
into  the  woods  on  the  right,  but  the  troops  had  not  been  gone  ten 
minutes,  nor  fired  a  hundred  shots,  when  they  came  tumbling  and 
scrambling  back  in  the  greatest  confusion,  a  wild  panic  taking  pos 
session  of  the  men  and  causing  them  to  break  to  the  rear  without 
ceremony ;  but  their  officers  soon  rallied  them  and  marched  them 
away  to  the  left. 


182  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Towards  evening  a  cold  rain  began  to  fall,  the  first  since  the  2d  of 
May,  and  the  soldiers  passed  an  uncomfortable  night  lying  behind 
their  breastworks,  drenched  to  the  skin.  After  a  miserable  night  the 
morning  of  the  nth  dawned  on  the  lads,  who,  with  dripping  gar 
ments  and  aching  limbs,  gathered  around  the  tiny  fires  to  boil  their 
coffee,  larger  ones  being  forbidden  for  fear  of  drawing  a  hotter  fire 
from  the  unfriendly  Yahoos  on  the  other  side.  After  breakfast,  the 
men  grubbed  in  the  mud,  strengthening  the  works  until  they  were 
six  or  seven  feet  thick ;  so  the  cheerless  day  passed  quietly  enough, 
except  for  an  occasional  shell  or  stray  bullet  that  nummed  through 
the  trees. 

At  nightfall  the  men  erected  their  shelters  and  packed  in  these 
frail  tents  spoon  fashion,  like  sardines,  the  closer  the  warmer,  while 
the  rain  fell  in  torrents,  flooding  most  of  the  tents;  but  the  unfor 
tunates  could  do  nothing  but  lie  still  in  the  water  and  think  of  the 
warm,  dry  beds  at  home.  About  midnight  the  sullen  boom  of  a 
cannon  awoke  the  men,  but  none  stirred  except  the  disconsolate  senti 
nels  as  they  trudged  through  the  mud  ;  nobody  wanted  to  turn  out 
unless  it  was  imperative.  Soon  another  and  another  gun  pealed  in 
re-echoing  chorus  over  the  woods,  the  dying  shrieks  of  the  shells  and 
the  reports  as  they  exploded  far  away  being  faintly  heard.  Presently 
an  answering  shot  from  the  Confederates  came  whistling  overhead  ; 
then  all  hands  appeared  satisfied  and  the  firing  ceased,  much  to  the 
relief  of  the  expectant  men  in  the  tents. 

Daylight  brought  but  scant  comfort,  the  rain  continuing,  every 
body  being  soaking  wet,  the  trees  dripping  showers  of  water,  while 
underfoot  the  ground  was  like  dough,  the  situation  trying  the  pa 
tience  and  patriotism  of  the  strongest  hearts;  but  some  of  the  boys 
made  light  of  it,  saying  that  there  was  a  good  time  coming,  only 
wait  a  little  longer, — and  they  waited.  Things  are  never  so  bad 
but  that  they  might  be  worse,  and  this  was  proved  when  the  brigade 
was  again  ordered  to  assault  the  works,  at  the  same  time  being 
informed  of  the  capture  of  the  rebel  Johnson's  division  by  the  2d 
Corps.  The  line  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  rebels  and  a  steady  fire 
was  opened  upon  them,  which  was  replied  to  with  all  the  vigor 
characteristic  of  our  ubiquitous  Southern  friends.  This  unequal 
contest  was  continued  about  half  an  hour,  after  which  the  line  of 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.   VOLS.  183 

battle  was  withdrawn,  nothing  having  been  accomplished  except  to 
add  more  names  to  the  long  list  of  disabled. 

The  regiment  lost  fourteen  men  in  this  action,  among  the  killed 
being  Jonathan  Wiser,  and  Joseph  Sergeant,  William  Threapleton 
(Boocock),  and  Neal  Devine,  wounded, — all  excellent  soldiers.  The 
next  day  (i3th)  was  stormy,  and  in  the  afternoon  most  of  the  regi 
ment  were  sent  on  the  skirmish  line,  being  compelled  to  lie  low 
among  the  festering  and  bloated  bodies  of  many  Union  soldiers  who 
had  fallen  in  the  assaults  on  the  enemy's  elaborate  intrenchments. 
About  midnight  most  of  the  pickets  were  relieved,  but  some  were 
overlooked,  and  in  the  morning  were  gobbled  by  the  enemy.  After 
coming  off  picket  we  took  up  the  march  in  the  mud  and  darkness  to 
the  left ;  but  it  was  the  hardest  kind  of  work  to  make  progress 
through  this  plastic  sea  of  mire  and  misery,  though  at  dawn  the 
attenuated  column  was  on  the  Fredericksburg  road,  but  not  in  con 
dition  to  risk  an  attack  with  good  prospect  of  success.  Spent  all  of 
the  1 4th  near  this  road,  building  breastworks  and  dodging  the  shells 
of  the  Washington  Artillery,  which  was  on  hand  ready  to  entertain 
us,  though  its  performance  was  not  appreciated. 

Rained  again  on  the  i5th ;  rain  is  becoming  monotonous.  On  this 
day  a  number  of  veterans  returned,  including  Captain  Whitesides 
and  James  G.  Clark.  On  the  iyth  the  sun  appeared  from  behind 
a  bank  of  clouds,  the  first  clear  day  in  a  week.  On  the  i8th  edged 
up  towards  the  enemy,  and  on  that  day  and  the  next  were  on  the 
skirmish  line,  then  were  relieved  and  sent  to  the  rear  with  Birney's 
division  to  meet  an  attack  by  Ewell's  corps  on  the  Fredericksburg 
road;  but  the  "Heavies"  had  attended  to  their  case  and  given 
Ewell  such  a  drubbing  that  he  was  glad  to  get  away. 

After  the  disastrous  engagements  of  May  8,  10,  etc.,  the,  losses  of 
the  2d  Division  were  found  to  be  so  heavy  that  the  command  was 
broken  up,  Baxter's  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  Coulter,  being 
assigned  to  Crawford's  3d  Division.  This  change  entitled  the  men 
to  wear  a  blue  Maltese  cross  (emblem  of  the  3d  Division,  5th  Corps) 
within  a  white  circle,  the  old  insignia  of  the  2d  Division,  ist  Corps. 


1 84  HISTORY  Of    THE 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

FROM    THE    NORTH    ANNA    TO    COLD    HARBOR  I    MAY   21    TO 
JUNE   I,    1864. 

ON  May  21  we  abandoned  the  extensive  earthworks  in  front  of 
Spottsylvania  and  marched  to  Guinea  Station  in  a  vain  attempt  to 
force  Lee  to  attack  away  from  his  defences.  Crossed  the  Mattapony 
and  bivouacked  until  Sunday  morning,  the  22d,  when  the  brigade 
formed  line  of  battle  and  pushed  out  westward  towards  the  roads 
the  Southern  army  was  moving  over,  driving  the  mounted  Confed 
erates  off;  but  after  going  two  or  three  miles,  fell  back  and  rejoined 
the  division,  and  encamped  on  the  Bowling  Green  road.  Up  at 
five  o'clock  on  the  23d,  and  having  no  rations,  marched  to  Jericho 
Ford,  crossing  the  North  Anna  River  at  that  place  and  resting 
on  the  south  bank.  The  soldiers  had  rehearsed  the  Bible  story  of 
the  man  going  down  to  Jericho  and  falling  among  thieves,  and  as 
they  jested  and  waited  for  the  commissary  to  show  up,  they  little 
anticipated  the  fun  that  was  coming. 

Suddenly  the  Confederates  opened  a  terrific  cannonade  upon  the 
unsuspecting  divisions  quietly  bivouacking  on  the  river-bank.  It 
has  been  stated  that  eight  Confederate  cannon  were  used  in  this  im 
promptu  reception,  but  there  wasn't  a  man  in  Crawford's  division 
or  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves  on  that  hill  but  was  fully  convinced 
that  at  least  a  hundred  cannon  were  belching  their  howling  shot 
upon  those  storm-swept  hills.  The  missiles  screamed,  shrieked, 
fluttered,  whistled,  and  spitefully  plunged  with  terrific  force  all 
around,  over,  before,  behind,  and  everywhere  else  among  the 
crouching  soldiers  ;  no  place  appeared  to  be  secure  from  their  devil 
ish  course,  except  the  insignificant  spots  where  the  soldiers  lay;  for, 
strange  to  relate,  though  the  Confederate  cannoneers  had  accurate 
range  of  the  position,  planting  their  shots  right  among  the  troops, 
yet  but  little  damage  was  done,  except  among  the  stragglers  and 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  185 

coffee- coolers  in  the  rear,  who  got  the  benefit  of  all  the  shots  that 
went  bounding  in  that  direction  ;  the  most  harm  done  was  in  stam 
peding  many  valuable  horses  belonging  to  the  staff  officers,  some  of 
which  were  never  recovered.  In  the  heterogeneous  mass  on  the 
river-bank,  behind  a  friendly  cliff,  was  Jim  Warren,  who  had  toted 
a  choice  cut  of  confiscated  mutton  all  day  without  opportunity  for 
cooking  it.  He  was  making  the  most  of  the  halt  by  boiling  the 
meat  when  the  bombardment  opened,  one  of  the  first  shells  demol 
ishing  fire  and  pot  alike  and  sending  the  mutton  to  kingdom  come. 
The  next  projectile  quickly  following  was  a  frantic  camp-follower 
with  an  old  army  mule  rigged  port,  starboard,  and  fore  and  aft  with 
pots,  kettles,  blankets,  and  so  on,  who  wildly  leaped  off  the  cliff, 
hoofs  and  all,  followed  by  a  terror-stricken  rabble,  who  certainly 
found  "Jordan  arn  a  hard  road  to  trabbel/'  and  who,  not  particular 
about  the  order  of  their  going,  did  not  stop  until  the  river  separated 
them  from  their  enemies.  In  the  ranks  there  was  no  panic,  the  men 
merely  lying  low  till  the  fury  of  the  tempest  was  spent.  The  move 
ment  consisted  of  an  attack  by  Wilcox's  and  Heth's  divisions  with 
the  expectation  of  driving  Warren  into  the  river,  but,  in  army  slang, 
they  had  "bit  off  more  than  they  could  chew,"  and  were  badly 
punished  for  their  venture.  At  twilight  the  brigade  marched  to  re- 
enforce  Cutler,  then  back  again,  and  by  way  of  recreation  the  men 
dug  dirt  all  night  and  carried  ammunition  and  rations. 

The  regiment  went  on  the  skirmish  line  on  May  24,  staying  there 
until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  line  moved  to  the  left.  Next 
day  the  regiment  was  pushed  out  again  and  kept  up  a  lively,  though 
probably  harmless,  fire  against  the  opposing  line  in  the  woods, 
about  two  hundred  yards  distant.  On  the  night  of  May  26  this 
wing  of  the  army  folded  its  tents  and  silently  recrossed  the  river, 
leaving  the  disputed  ground  to  the  Johnnies,  who  appeared  to  want 
it  more  than  we  did.  Head  of  column  was  directed  through  a  well- 
cultivated  country  to  the  Pamunkey,  which  we  crossed  at  noon  on 
the  28th,  and,  halting,  built  some  more  earthworks,  just  to  keep  our 
hands  in. 

About  ten  o'clock  on  May  30  the  brigade  marched  down  the 
south  bank  of  Totopotomoy  Creek  and  lay  in  line  of  battle,  while  a 
large  regiment  of  German  "  Heavies"  was  pushed  to  the  front. 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE 

After  this  command  had  formed,  a  rebel  regiment  charged  it,  and 
though  the  men  stood  for  a  little  while,  soon  the  whole  line  broke 
and  came  back  in  the  greatest  confusion,  and  when  the  boys  jeered 
them,  the  poor  fellows  appeared  to  feel  their  disgrace,  and  explained 
how  "  Goompany  L"  had  broken  first;  then  they  all  had  to  run. 
The  88th  was  then  deployed  out  towards  the  Johnnies,  but  they  re 
tired.  In  a  short  time,  however,  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  pre 
ceded  by  skirmishers,  again  came  towards  our  regiment,  which 
quickly  formed  a  strong  skirmish  line  along  the  edge  of  the  woods, 
while  the  enemy  had  to  come  across  the  open  fields.  The  boys 
opened  a  severe  fire  upon  the  advancing  graybacks,  who  soon  halted 
and  lay  down  for  a  while,  and  then  retired.  This  attack  had 
scarcely  been  repulsed,  when  large  bodies  of  Confederates  were  ob 
served  moving  through  the  woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  field, 
their  purpose  evidently  being  to  assault  the  line  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Reserves  on  the  right.  There  appeared  to  be  three  lines  as  they 
moved  past  our  flank,  and  the  boys  opened  a  rapid  fire  which  un 
doubtedly  made  it  very  hot  for  them.  When  they  reached  the  Re 
serves  they  struck  a  snag,  and  the  Pennsylvanians  objecting  to  their 
presence  in  that  quarter,  they  soon  came  streaming  back  in  great 
disorder,  again  receiving  the  fire  of  our  skirmishers. 

The  regiment  remained  on  the  skirmish  line  near  Bethesda  Church 
until  the  morning  of  May  31,  when  the  whole  line  was  advanced 
about  half  a  mile.  Near  by  were  two  neat  farm  houses,  and  at  the 
time  that  our  troops  first  occupied  this  ground  two  safeguards  had 
been  posted  to  protect  the  property;  but  when  the  enemy  drove  the 
line  back,  these  guards  were  unable  to  escape,  or  perhaps  supposed 
that  their  duty  would  shield  them.  However  that  may  have  been, 
the  occupants  of  the  houses  had  turned  them  out  and  the  rebels 
had  shot  them  both  ;  their  lifeless  bodies  were  found  lying  in  the 
yard.  The  sight  of  these  men,  killed  while  in  the  discharge  of  a 
benevolent  duty,  greatly  incensed  the  soldiers,  and  going  through 
the  houses,  they  smashed  the  furniture,  took  the  provisions,  and  broke 
up  house-keeping  generally,  in  spite  of  the  piteous  appeals  of  the 
owners. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  187 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

FROM  COLD  HARBOR  TO  PETERSBURG:  JUNE  I  TO  1 6,  1864. 

JUNE  came  in  hot,  dry,  and  dusty :  the  sun  scorching  hot,  the 
country  dry,  and  the  roads  dusty.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  in 
the  woods  and  thickets  around  Cold  Harbor,  within  two  hours'  march 
of  the  Confederate  capital,  gradually  feeling  its  way  towards  the 
enemy. 

At  nine  A.M  on  the  ist  the  brigade  cautiously  advanced  towards 
Richmond,  the  batteries  shelling  the  woods  in  front ;  in  reply,  the 
Confederate  cannon  opened  a  quick  fire,  their  projectiles  tearing 
through  the  trees  over  the  swaying  lines  of  men,  as  they  very  care 
fully  pushed  towards  the  enemy's  position.  Upon  passing  through  a 
thick  strip  of  timber  their  lines  were  in  plain  view,  not  a  thousand 
yards  distant,  heavy  columns  of  infantry  moving  in  rear  of  their 
breastworks  towards  our  left.  About  noon  the  Confederate  skir 
mishers  made  a  break  for  the  regiment,  but  were  easily  repulsed, 
and  at  three  o'clock  the  brigade  advanced  again,  stopping  every  few 
hundred  yards  to  throw  up  breastworks. 

The  mortality  of  battle  and  the  sickness  incident  to  so  continuous 
and  severe  a  campaign  had  told  fearfully  on  the  ranks  of  the  regi 
ment,  scarcely  150  men  being  present.  Every  day  some  comrades 
fell  in  battle,  little  noted  by  the  world,  but  greatly  missed  by  their 
companions  as  well  as  by  the  loved  ones  at  home,  and  yet  the  hand 
ful  of  survivors — a  mere  fragment  of  a  regiment — marched  and 
fought,  wondering  who  next  would  fill  a  soldier's  grave  or  be 
carried  to  the  hospital  disabled  and  incapacitated  from  making  a 
living  in  the  future. 

On  June  2  we  built  more  works,  with  traverses  for  protection 
from  cross-fire  ;  the  enemy's  artillery  taking  the  line  in  flank  and  his 
sharp-shooters  in  front,  made  it  dangerous  to  raise  the  head  higher 
than  the  works.  A  member  of  the  nth  Pennsylvania,  while  jesting 


1 88  HISTORY  OF   THE 

with  some  of  our  boys,  incautiously  looked  over  the  cap  log,  when 
a  rifle-ball  pierced  his  brain  and  he  fell  back  dead.  Orders  to  move 
were  expected  at  any  moment,  and  not  wishing  to  leave  the  body 
lying  there,  his  comrades  dug  a  shallow  trench  and  buried  him,  and 
within  a  half-hour  were  sitting  on  his  grave,  speculating  as  to  who 
would  be  the  next  to  fall.  The  boys  left  the  dead  soldier,  not  alone 
in  his  glory,  for  there  were  hundreds  of  new-made  graves  in  the  trail 
of  the  army,  occupied  by  the  boys  in  blue, — 

Lying  so  silent  by  night  and  by  day, 
Sleeping  the  years  of  their  manhood  away. 

June  3,  1864,  was  a  beautiful  day,  one  that  would  have  been  much 
enjoyed  if  our  Southern  friends  had  let  us  alone  ;  but  they  were  most 
disagreeable  people,  and  consequently  made  our  lives  very  unhappy, 
pitching  cannon-balls  at  us  in  the  most  reckless  manner.*  John 
Keller  said  that  they  ought  to  be  arrested,  and  volunteered  to.  send 
Jim  Hague,  John  Williams,  and  Boocock  over  to  bring  them  in  ;  but 
the  proposition  was  vetoed,  though  Charley  McKnight  said  he  would 
lead  the  gang. 

Next  morning  the  goth  Regiment  was  ordered  to  occupy  a  strip 
of  woods  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  to  the  front ;  it  accordingly 
moved  out,  battalion  front,  in  fine  style,  under  a  sharp  fire,  and 
succeeded  in  taking  the  position.  Then  Colonel  Tilden,  of  the 


*  During  one  of  these  intermittent  ball  matches  at  Cold  Harbor  the  writer  re 
ceived  an  ugly  gash  in  the  hand  from  a  fragment  of  shell,  and  had  all  the  glory 
there  is  in  bleeding  for  one's  country  without  much  physical  harm,  as  probably 
his  feelings  were  hurt  more  than  his  hand.  If  he  has  not  done  so  before,  he 
desires  to  apologize  now  to  the  too-confiding  comrades  who  generously  intrusted 
him  with  about  a  score  of  canteens  to  fill  with  pure  water,  and  who  lost  them 
in  his  rapid  change  of  base  to  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  breastworks,  after  the 
shell  overtook  him.  If  there  is  any  blame  to  be  scored  against  anybody  for  this 
loss,  he  wants  it  chalked  to  the  account  of  the  bad  man  on  the  other  side  of  the 
line  who  sent  the  shell,  and  not  against  him.  He  probably  forgot  to  gratefully 
thank  his  messmates  for  their  sympathetic  advice  to  "keep  a  stiff  upper  lip,''  and 
other  like  comforting  expressions  which  were  possibly  not  rightly  appreciated  at 
the  time.  At  any  rate,  these  thanks  can  go  with  the  regrets  for  the  tins,  and  will 
probably  square  the  account. 


JOHN  HART. 
Company  I. 


JOHN-    I).   VAUTIF.K. 

Company   I. 

Historian. 


CAPTAIN  WII.I.IAM  J.  HAKKISIIEIMEK. 

Company  I. 
Major  U.  S.  Vols. 


JOHN  W.  SICKELS.  SAMUEL  MARTIN. 

Company  K.  Company  K. 

COMPANIES    I    AND    K. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  189 

1 6th  Maine,  was  ordered  to  advance  his  pickets,  and  at  the  head  of 
the  line  led  them  on  and  triumphantly  occupied  a  new  line  close  to 
the  enemy's  position. 

On  June  5  we  marched  from  Bethesda  Church  to  Cold  Harbor, 
being  placed  in  reserve  behind  the  i8th  Corps,  and  remaining  here 
until  the  nth,  when  the  brigade  moved  to  near  Bottom  Bridge,  on 
the  Chickahominy.  Crossed  that  stream  and  formed  line  of  battle 
at  White  Oak  Swamp  on  the  i3th,  at  which  place  the  enemy  made 
a  fierce  attack,  but  was  shaken  off  at  all  points.  While  under  this 
fire  the  regiment  suffered  an  irreparable  loss  in  the  death  of  its 
leader,  Captain  George  B.  Rhoads,  who  was  killed  by  a  solid  shot  or 
shell.  He  was  one  of  the  bravest  officers  in  the  service,  greatly 
beloved,  and  his  untimely  death  was  regretted  by  every  man  in  the 
regiment.  He  doubtless  had  a  presentiment  of  his  fate,  as  for  some 
days  prior  to  his  death  he  often  read  his  Bible  and  gently  rebuked 
any  one  using  profane  language  in  his  presence.  When  Comrades 
Wallace  and  Street  raised  his  bleeding  body,  they  found  his  Testa 
ment  in  his  pocket.  With  sad  hearts  the  boys  dug  a  shallow  trench, 
and  tenderly  laid  to  rest  the  mortal  remains  of  as  brave  a  soldier  as 
ever  followed  the  colors  through  this  terrible  war. 

No  useless  coffin  enclosed  his  breast, 

Nor  in  sheet  nor  in  shroud  we  wound  him  ; 

But  he  lay,  like  a  warrior  taking  his  rest, 
With  his  martial  cloak  around  him. 

On  June  7  our  old  comrades  composing  the  pth  New  York  bid 
the  brigade  farewell  and  left  for  the  quieter  and  more  congenial 
scenes  in  Gotham,  their  three  years'  service  having  expired.  The 
9th  (83d  of  the  line)  was  an  exceptionally  good  regiment,  and  had 
a  record  for  reliability  second  to  none.  It  entered  the  campaign 
on  May  4  with  515  men,  and  had  lost  257  killed  and  wounded,  98 
going  home  under  command  of  Colonel  Chalmers  and  the  recruits 
being  transferred  to  the  97th.  Colonel  Moesch  was  killed  in  the 
Wilderness  and  buried  under  the  supervision  of  Chaplain  Roe.  In 
1887,  Captain  George  A.  Hussey,  the  historian  of  the  9th,  had  his 
body  removed  and  reinterred  at  Fredericksburg,  his  memory  being 
perpetuated  by  an  elegant  and  appropriate  monument  erected  by  his 


I9o  HISTORY  OF  THE 

comrades.  When  his  remains  were  disinterred  there  were  found  in 
the  grave  one  pair  of  boots  in  pieces,  some  fragments  of  cloth,  the 
buttons  from  his  uniform,  and  the  bullet  that  killed  him,  which  had 
been  placed  under  his  head.  Truly,  "  Ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust." 

With  the  action  at  White  Oak  Swamp  ended  this  stage  of  the 
campaign,  the  army  now  being  transferred  to  the  vicinity  of  Peters 
burg.  During  the  forty  days  from  the  5th  of  May  to  the  close  of 
the  campaign  on  the  Chickahominy  the  stubborn,  steady,  and  san 
guinary  character  of  the  fighting  had  been  unprecedented  in  the 
history  of  this  country.  In  that  time  Grant  had  lost  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing  upward  of  54,000  of  his  bravest  soldiers, 
and  Lee  over  32,000.  Such  havoc  is  appalling,  and  it  has  often 
been  remarked  that  this  loss  was  useless,  that  the  army  might  have 
been  safely  and  speedily  conveyed  south  of  the  James  without  the 
sacrifice  of  a  single  life.  The  writer  wishes  to  express  his  humble 
opinion  on  this  point,  being  satisfied  that  it  is  worth  as  much  as  any 
other,  and  if  the  reader  does  not  like  it  he  can  form  one  of  his  own ; 
that  opinion  is,  that  General  Grant  pursued  the  correct  and  only 
route  and  adopted  the  surest  means  of  ending  the  rebellion.  Rich 
mond  was  not  the  true  objective  of  the  Union  army.  So  long  as 
Lee's  army  remained  intact,  the  fall  of  Richmond,  important  as  it 
was,  would  not  have  ended  the  war.  That  army,  therefore,  was  the 
true  objective,  and  if  it  could  be  destroyed  or  its  power  of  resist 
ance  seriously  impaired  by  heavy  and  continuous  hammering,  the 
solution  of  this  difficult  problem  would  be  easily  reached.  Of 
course  the  frightful  loss  of  life  is  sad  to  contemplate,  and  no  one 
feels  that  more  keenly  than  the  soldier  who  marched  and  fought  in 
this  dreadful  contest,  and  who  mournfully  buried  so  many  gallant 
comrades  wherever  the  lines  were  formed.  But  war  means  mangled 
bodies  and  gaping  wounds,  ruined  homesteads  and  blighted  house 
holds,  hospitals  filled  with  the  sick  and  wounded  ;  nevertheless,  it 
had  to  be  fought  out ;  the  bitter  cup  had  to  be  drained  even  to  the 
very  dregs,  and  then  the  fratricidal  contest  ceased.  When  General 
Grant  assumed  command  he  bent  all  his  energies  to  the  destruction 
of  Lee's  army,  and  he  fought  it  out  on  that  line,  though  it  took 
all  summer  and  winter,  too. 

So  much  for  the  overland  campaign. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  191 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

PETERSBURG    TO    THE    WELDON    RAILROAD:    JUNE    1 6    TO    AUGUST 

23,    1864. 

LEFT  White  Oak  Swamp  on  the  night  of  June  13,  marched  all 
night,  and  encamped  near  Charles  City  Court-House,  remaining 
here  until  daylight  of  the  i6th,  when  we  marched  to  the  James 
River,  and  at  two  P.M.  boarded  the  steamer  John  Brooks  and  crossed 
the  river.  Fell  in  and  marched  all  night,  halting  at  three  A.M. 
After  a  very  brief  rest  and  an  abbreviated  breakfast,  again  fell  in  and 
took  position  supporting  the  2d  Corps,  but  in  the  night  moved  back 
out  of  range. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i8th  the  division  moved  to  the  front  to 
assault  the  Confederate  fortifications.  Advanced  through  an  orchard, 
over  the  railroad,  took  a  hill  within  200  yards  of  the  enemy,  and 
then  made  a  grand  swoop  for  his  main  line, — all  this  under  a  fire  that 
thinned  the  ranks  at  every  step ;  but  the  line  on  our  flank  not  march 
ing  as  fast  as  the  regiment,  the  charge,  like  a  breaking  wave,  spent 
its  force,  and  the  men,  disdaining  to  run,  dropped  behind  a  slight 
wattling  fence  and  opened  on  the  rebs.  Still,  the  command  was  to 
forward  :  "  Forward  Baxter's  brigade ;"  but  the  experienced  eyes  of 
the  veterans  had  taken  the  measure  of  those  frowning  forts,  and, 
knowing  that  it  was  a  hopeless  job,  not  a  man  moved. 

At  this  time,  John  Ewing,  the  color  bearer,  seeing  the  men  hold 
ing  back,  charged  up  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the  works  with  his 
flag,  and  called  the  regiment  to  him.  The  boys,  encouraged  by 
this  noble  example,  rallied  up  to  the  colors,  only  to  be  driven  back 
with  severe  loss.  Returning  to  the  fence,  the  men  opened  on  the 
enemy,  and  so  effective  was  the  fire  that  it  was  extremely  unhealthy 
for  a  Johnny  to  show  his  head.  In  one  of  their  cannon  a  swab  had 
been  left  by  a  Confederate  gunner;  but  they  were  not  allowed  to 
remove  it,  and  after  several  attempts,  they  fired  the  swab  into  our 


192  HISTORY  OF   THE 

line.  Presently  the  rebels  began  to  strengthen  their  works,  and 
our  marksmen  practised  on  their  shovels,  hands,  backs,  or  any 
thing  that  offered  a  shot,  one  poor  Johnny  getting  a  Minie  in  his 
back  from  Harry  Booz's  rifle  that  caused  the  dust  to  fly  from  his 
coat. 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  expert  marksmen  in  the  regiment 
at  this  time,  notably  Harry  Booz,  John  Wallace,  Peter  Shearer, 
Reuben  Neider,  George  Armstrong,  Morris  Robbins,  Harvey  Myers, 
Mortimer  VVisham,  Frank  Charles,  Jonathan  Wenzell,  Charles  Butler, 
William  Fisher,  and,  in  fact,  almost  every  man  was  a  good  shot. 
But  this  was  a  sad  day's  work  for  the  regiment,  among  the  killed 
being  Lieutenant  Sinn,  John  Beaumont,  Pierson  Miller,  Henry  Roth, 
and  Henry  Rhoads  ;  while  the  wounded  included  James  G.  Clark, 
John  Evving,  James  Seifert,  and  Sergeant  McChaliker. 

Harry  Booz  vividly  describes  the  above-mentioned  movements  as 
follows : 

We  started  on  the  march  from  Turkey  Bend  about  four  P.M.  and  continued  until 
about  eight  A.M.  of  the  i8th,  then  cooked  breakfast  near  some  negro  troops ;  soon 
advanced  in  line  of  battle,  the  rebs  falling  back.  Once  we  lay  in  line  several  minutes, 
the  bullets  whistling  and  the  shells  flying  overhead,  one  bursting  directly  over  us  in 
the  top  of  an  oak-tree.  I  heard  something  dropping  from  one  limb  to  another: 
it  was  the  butt  of  a  shell,  about  a  pound  in  weight,  and  it  fell  on  the  ankle  of  one 
of  our  boys,  who  jumped  up  and  danced  around  for  a  while,  holding  his  ankle, 
thinking  he  was  shot.  Presently  a  shell  burst  directly  over  the  back  of  a  man 
next  me  and  paralyzed  him  completely,  there  being  no  sign  of  life  in  him  as  they  car 
ried  him  back.  That  explosion  seemed  to  lift  me  clear  off  the  ground  and  partly 
stunned  me  ;  my  hearing  has  never  been  good  since.  We  soon  advanced  across 
an  open  field,  our  battery  lining  with  us,  one  gun  at  a  time,  firing  as  fast  as  they 
could.  We  halted  in  that  field  and  lay  close  for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  bullets 
and  shells  flying  everywhere,  Montgomery  saying  that  they  would  hurt  some  one  yet 
with  their  carelessness.  We  soon  got  orders  to  go  for  the  railroad  cut,  and  John 
Campbell  and  I  were  the  first  in,  the  cut  being  some  fifteen  or  eighteen  feet  deep, 
a  road  bridge  over  it  where  we  went  in.  When  we  were  all  there  we  got  orders 
to  double-quick  to  a  little  stream  by  a  hill-side,,  a  meadow  with  high  grass  inter 
vening,  the  place  being  probably  200  yards  from  the  railroad.  Campbell  and  I 
had  the  advance,  and  when  we  got  there  we  were  amused  to  see  the  boys  coming 
through  the  knee-high  grass  and  tumbling  in  and  over  a  concealed  ditch  some 
four  or  five  feet  wide.  There  was  a  steep  hill  thirty-five  or  forty  feet  high  running 
north  and  south,  and  the  stream  was  just  at  the  foot  of  it.  I  climbed  to  the  top, 
and,  looking  across  a  cornfield  (corn  five  or  six  inches  high),  saw  that  the  reb 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOT.S.  193 

skirmishers  had  carried  piles  of  rails,  about  a  wagon-load  in  each  place  and  about 
twenty  yards  apart,  facing  us,  and  beyond  that  about  175  yards  was  their  main 
line,  with  a  battery  facing  us. 

After  quite  a  while  an  aide  instructed  our  commander  to  keep  his  men  well  in 
hand  for  a  general  charge  at  six  o'clock.  Roll  was  called,  and  Ninesteel  said  that 
there  were  just  sixty  men  with  the  colors.  I  heard  the  order  coming  down  from 
the  right  to  fall  in,  but  I  just  climbed  to  the  top  of  that  hill  and  sat  there  looking 
back  at  the  line  forming.  I  made  up  my  mind  that  we  couldn't  go  into  that  line 
of  works,  but  I  was  going  to  make  the  best  time  for  a  rail-pile,  anyhow,  and  if  the 
line  came  up  I  would  go  along  with  them. 

When  the  line  got  the  order  to  "  Forward,"  I  started,  and  when  our  bayonets 
cleared  the  hill  I  was  half-way  over.  When  the  Johnnies  saw  our  line  of  battle 
they  opened  a  vicious  fire,  the  cur  hissing  with  screaming  shot  and  shell ;  but  I 
flopped  down  behind  my  pre-empted  pile  of  rails,  soon  being  joined  by  GilHgan 
and  Campbell. 

In  looking  back  at  our  advancing  line,  coming  up  with  a  hurrah,  it  was  horrible 
to  see  the  men  falling  by  dozens,  Montgomery  going  down,  a  grape-shot  hitting 
his  blanket ;  the  next  day  we  counted  thirty-two  holes  in  it.  But  the  sergeant 
wasn't  the  man  to  stay  down;  he  was  up  at  once.  George  Smith,  of  A,  was  hit 
in  the  leg.  I  heard  it  strike  him  and  watched  to  see  where  he  was  wounded. 
He  took  off  his  equipments  and  went  to  the  rear. 

In  looking  back,  I  saw  something  fly  in  the  air  ;  I  took  it  to  be  cotton ;  but  a 
piece  of  brain  the  size  of  a  thimble  fell  on  my  arm,  a  shell  having  struck  one  of 
the  men  in  the  face,  and  it  was  the  scattered  brains  I  saw.  A  part  of  the  brain 
struck  one  of  our  boys  in  the  eye,  knocking  him  senseless.  He  returned  to  the 
regiment  two  or  three  weeks  afterwards,  a  circle  three  and  a  half  inches  in  diame 
ter  over  one  discolored  eye. 

About  the  time  Smith  was  hit,  the  two  boys,  Devine  and  Ewing,  came  along 
with  the  colors.  All  this  had  happened  while  the  two  boys  were  coming  from 
where  the  line  had  started.  They  passed  on  just  to  our  right.  Campbell  remarked, 
"Just  look  at  those  boys;  they  will  lose  the  colors;  I  can't  stand  this  ;  I'm  going, 
too,"  and  away  he  went,  followed  by  Gilligan  and  myself.  They  had  reached  a 
worm-fence  sixty-five  or  seventy  yards  from  the  fort  containing  the  four-gun  bat 
tery.  The  fence  was  in  a  depression  just  a  little  lower  than  the  field,  fifty  yards 
back,  and  running  parallel  with  the  reb  line,  some  rag-weed  and  poison-ivy  grow 
ing  along  it,  Their  line  was  on  higher  ground,  and  we  silenced  their  battery  at 
once.  They  tried  to  load,  but  it  was  no  use  ;  we  would  fire  at  their  hands  and 
arms  and  put  a  veto  on  their  work.  One  piece  had  a  rammer  in,  which  they  tried 
several  times  to  remove ;  but  we  were  superintending  that,  and  at  dark  it  was  there 
yet,  but  they  removed  it  in  the  night.  For  a  while  they  did  some  peeping  over 
the  works ;  but  we,  having  the  sky  for  a  background,  could  see  a  bird  at  that  dis 
tance,  so  we  let  go  every  time  a  head  appeared,  aiming  to  hit  the  slope  a  foot  or 
so  in  front  of  the  eyes,  and  the  head  would  disappear  awful  quick.  Night  soon 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE 

closed  down,  clear  but  no  moon,  and  we  supplied  ourselves  with  ammunition  and 
strengthened  our  line,  the  neighbors  up  the  hill  doing  the  same  work;  but  the 
shooting  was  kept  up  all  night,  no  one  getting  much  icst. 

About  eleven  P.M.,  Lieutenant  Lawrence  came  to  us  and  asked  if  we  knew 
what  dark  object  that  was  moving  about  fifty  yards  in  our  front.  We  had  not 
noticed  anything,  but  could  see  it  plainly  when  pointed  out.  We  went  out  about 
twenty  yards  to  ascertain  its  identity,  but  could  not  make  it  out,  when  Lawrence 
said  he  would  fire  at  it  anyhow,  which  he  did,  making  an  excellent  shot  in  the 
darkness,  and  hit  a  cow  that  was  grazing  there,  which  bellowed  fearfully  and 
raised  such  a  racket  that  the  enemy  thought  we  were  charging  them,  for  their 
whole  line  opened  a  hot  fire  at  once,  but  they  generally  overshot  us.  An  hour  or 
so  later  I  was  watching  for  a  shot,  when  farther  to  my  right  I  saw  the  flash  of  a 
reb  gun  that  appeared  to  be  higher  than  the  others,  as  though  he  were  standing  on 
the  rifle-pits.  I  took  a  quick  aim  at  his  flash  and  caught  him  somewhere,  for  he 
yelled  lustily  for  a  bit.  Directly  we  noticed  some  excitement  among  our  boys, 
and  found  that  the  reb's  bullet  had  struck  one  of  the  Beaumont  brothers  in  the 
forehead,  killing  him  instantly. 

We  were  tired  and  hungry,  and  before  daylight  we  went  back  to  the  stream  to 
cook  coffee,  and  happened  to  get  on  the  ground  occupied  by  the  2ist  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  who  were  fighting  dismounted.  They  had  received  rations  and  had  left 
lots  of  pieces  of  crackers  in  the  boxes,  and  as  we  had  coffee,  we  were  feasting 
again.  On  my  way  back  I  found  a  patent  carbine  with  plenty  of  ammunition,  and 
used  this  weapon  while  we  remained  in  this  position,  my  shoulders  being  very  sore 
from  the  concussion  from  my  Enfield. 

Through  the  daj  the  rebs  tried  several  plans  to  build  peep-holes,  so  they  could 
draw  a  bead  on  us.  They  first  got  a  small  camp-kettle  with  the  bottom  out,  laid 
it  on  the  works,  then  with  a  shovel  threw  earth  around  it.  We  let  them  amuse 
themselves  a  while,  and  when  they  got  it  built,  we  sent  kettle  and  dirt  to  kingdom 
come  with  a  few  well-directed  shots ;  but  they  tried  it  again  with  some  stiff  sods  ; 
set  them  on  edge  five  or  six  inches  apart,  leaning  the  tops  together,  covering  all 
with  earth.  We  had  so  much  fun  with  the  pot  that  we  let  them  finish  this,  then 
opened  on  it,  every  shot  apparently  moving  a  shovelful  of  dirt,  until  the  hopes  of 
the  graybacks  for  a  peep-hole  were  knocked  into  a  cocked  hat. 

Towards  the  middle  of  the  day  William  John  Finley  was  standing  looking  over 
our  works,  when  a  reb  fired  at  him  from  away  off  to  our  left,  striking  him  in  the 
shoulder.  Then  I  kept  a  sharp  lookout  for  reciprocity  on  William  John's  account, 
and  soon  one  of  them  carelessly  exposed  his  back,  and  when  he  worked  up  far 
enough  I  let  him  have  it,  and  Reuben  Neider  said  there  was  one  reb  short.  So 
Finley  was  promptly  avenged. 

About  three  P.M.  the  9th  Corps  relieved  us.  There  was  a  spring  near  us,  the 
drain  winding  back  across  the  cornfield,  and  through  this  slight  ravine  they  came 
in  and  we  went  out,  but  in  some  places  we  were  in  sight  of  the  Johns  and  had  to 
run  the  gauntlet  of  their  fire,  three  of  the  boys  being  wounded  coming  out.  We 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  195 

found  the  main  line  had  built  works  just  back  of  the  cut,  our  regiment  on  the  left 
of  the  brigade. 

There  was  an  ice-house  in  our  front,  sunk  in  the  ground,  and  though  it  was  dan 
gerous  work,  our  boys  would  have  their  ice-water,  balls  or  not.  On  the  afternoon 
of  the  second  day  a  ration  of  whiskey  and  quinine  was  issued,  and  some  of  the 
9Oth  getting  too  much,  got  righting  on  the  higher  ground,  where  they  mauled  each 
other,  the  bullets  meanwhile  whistling  all  around  them.  Presently  one  got  the 
other  down  and  began  kicking  him,  when  the  kicker  got  a  ball  in  his  leg,  breaking 
the  leg  and  breaking  up  the  fight. 

The  next  morning  we  moved  to  the  left  and  went  to  the  front,  but  at  night 
moved  again,  the  next  day  going  to  the  Jerusalem  plank  road.  There  had  been 
considerable  fighting  here,  and  as  we  marched  up  we  came  to  the  arms  of  a  whole 
brigade  that  had  been  captured,  they  having  grounded  arms,  and  they  lay  there  in 
line  of  battle  farther  than  we  could  see.  I  had  the  small  of  the  stock  of  my  rifle 
nearly  cut  through  by  a  ball  on  the  8th  of  May,  and  as  I  had  fired  212  rounds 
while  we  were  at  the  front,  it  had  gotten  very  weak,  so  I  exchanged  my  old  gun 
for  a  good  one.  .  .  .  This  is  my  story  of  Petersburg,  from  memory,  and  I  think 
you  will  find  it  substantially  correct.  Our  boys  were  true  blue ;  twenty-eight  got 
to  the  fence,  all  of  the  88th.  All  the  boys  I  have  mentioned  were  daisies  and  had 
true  grit,  so  were  Joe  Burris  and  Wes.  Martin  and  Henry  Lloyd  and  scores  more 
whom  I  could  name. 

The  above  is  Booz's  version  of  the  operations  on  June  18,  19,  and 
20,  1864,  and  those  who  knew  Harry  will  credit  every  word  of  it. 
The  historian  desires  to  say  here  that  there  were  many  splendid  sol 
diers  in  the  regiment,  but  he  has  omitted  to  mention  a  number  of 
heroic  actions  that  came  under  his  own  observation  for  the  reason 
that  hundreds  of  good  soldiers  who  were  just  as  brave  would  have 
had  an  injustice  done  them,  because,  unfortunately,  the  writer  did 
not  witness  their  soldierly  conduct.  In  this  battle  the  boys  realized, 
as  they  had  often  done  before,  what  a  "soft  thing"  the  Johnnies 
had  on  us,  they  fighting  under  cover  of  their  stout  earthworks,  our 
boys  with  no  other  protection  than  the  blue  blouses  that  covered 
their  stout  and  loyal  hearts.  Each  man  fired  on  an  average  nearly 
200  rounds,  but  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  most  of  these  were 
wasted. 

Threw  up  breastworks,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  the  igth, 
were  relieved  and  retired  in  line  behind  the  railroad.  Lay  here 
doing  picket  duty  until  the  24th,  when  we  resumed  the  march  under 
a  heavy  shelling,  halting  near  the  Jerusalem  plank  road. 


196  HISTORY  OF   THE 

On  June  25  the  i2th  Massachusetts  left  for  home,  time  having  ex 
pired.  Good-by,  boys;  there  was  no  better  regiment  branded  U.  S. 
than  the  i2th.  From  May  5  to  June  25 — fifty  days — it  had  been 
under  fire  forty-one  limes  and  lost  172  men.  Only  eighty-five  men 
left  with  the  colors.  What  a  gory,  glorious  record  ! 

On  the  25th  in  reserve,  on  picket  at  night,  and  remained  there 
until  the  27th,  making  a  treaty  with  our  friends  the  enemy,  not  to 
fire  on  "  you-uns,  if  you-uns  won't  fire  on  we-uns." 

Friday,  July  i,  very  hot,  water  scarce;  regiment  engaged  all 
day  and  night  building  works  on  the  right  of  the  Jerusalem  plank 
road,  continuing  in  this  place  for  several  weeks,  meantime  cele 
brating  the  Glorious  Fourth  with  flying  colors  and  enjoying  an  extra 
ration  of  good  things  issued  by  the  Sanitary  Commission.  On  the 
7th  the  regiment  moved  to  the  right  of  the  brigade;  lively  firing; 
several  men  wounded.  On  the  i2th  the  brigade  moved  to  the  rear, 
the  regiment  deploying  along  the  works  and  filling  its  place ;  the 
brigade  returned  on  the  i5th,  when  we  were  assigned  the  job  of 
building  Fort  Crawford  and  some  contiguous  breastworks. 

On  July  22  the  major  of  the  loyth  Pennsylvania  took  temporary 
command  of  the  88th,  and  on  the  26th  he  treated  the  boys  to  a 
dress  parade, — a  rare  thing  in  these  days, — but  no  rations.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  men  would  have  been  more  thankful  for  the 
rations. 

On  July  29  only  one  shell  fell  in  camp,  this  being  so  remarkable 
as  to  cause  mention  in  Sergeant  McKnight's  diary.  The  131)1 
Massachusetts,  another  gallant  regiment  that  had  been  closely  iden 
tified  with  our  brigade,  went  home  on  the  I4th,  its  three  years'  ardu 
ous  service  having  expired.  Good-by,  boys. 

If  you  get  there  before  we  do, 
Look  out  for  us,  we're  coming,  too. 

On  Saturday,  July  30,  1864,  the  regiment  was  up  at  two  A.M.,  and 
drawing  forty  rounds  extra  ammunition,  took  the  place  of  the  94th 
New  York  in  Fort  Crawford,  while  the  division  was  massed  in  the 
rear,  to  assist  in  the  mine  explosion.  The  sad  story  of  that  abortive 
assault  need  not  be  retold  here,  except  to  say  that  credit  for  the  de 
feat  should  be  again  ascribed  to  General  John  Barleycorn. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  197 

The  early  days  of  August  were  times  of  feverish  and  wearing  ex 
pectancy  to  the  boys,  who  were  in  line  nearly  every  morning  at 
three  o'clock,  waiting  for  something  terrible  to  turn  up;  so  the 
wilting  days  passed,  sometimes  on  picket,  sometimes  in  camp,  until 
the  middle  of  the  month,  the  best  thing  happening  in  the  interim 
being  the  visit  of  the  paymaster  on  the  nth,  who  gladdened  the 
boys'  hearts  with  two  months'  pay. 

On  August  1 8  the  cavalry  and  the  5th  Corps  struck  for  the  Wei- 
don  Railroad,  reaching  the  Yellow  Tavern  about  ten  A.M.  The  ist 
Division  was  engaged  in  destroying  the  railroad,  while  our  division, 
deploying  on  the  right  of  the  road,  pressed  the  enemy  through 
the  woods  a  half-mile  towards  Petersburg.  Then,  tinder  a  heavy 
rain  and  a  lively  fire,  both  extremely  uncomfortable  circumstances, 
we  lay  in  line  of  battle  all  night,  expecting  an  assault. 

On  the  i9th,  Crawford's  division  again  advanced  through  the 
thick  woods,  after  being  relieved  about  seven  A.M.,  and  built  a  line 
of  breastworks,  repeating  this  pastime  until  three  light  lines  had 
been  thrown  up.  Meantime,  the  Confederates  were  not  idle  ;  mass 
ing  their  troops  at  a  weak  point  in  the  Union  line,  they  burst 
through,  while  Crawford's  men,  in  the  dense  woods,  all  unconscious 
of  peril  on  the  flanks  and  rear,  repelled  every  attempt  of  the  enemy 
to  drive  our  line  by  an  assault  in  front.  The  first  intimation  that 
the  men  had  of  the  enemy  being  in  their  rear  was  the  unexpected 
appearance  of  a  squad  of  Confederates,  led  by  a  hatless  and  excited 
officer,  coming  directly  through  the  woods  from  a  direction  that 
every  man  in  the  88th  was  fully  convinced  was  the  rear.  They  were 
immediately  halted  and  ordered  to  surrender,  but  decidedly  objected, 
explaining  that  we  were  the  ones  to  surrender,  as  they  had  us  sur 
rounded ;  this  story  was  not  credited,  and,  taking  the  officer's 
sword,  Sergeant  John  Wallace,  with  an  escort,  proceeded  with  the 
prisoners  back  through  the  woods,  when  they  ran  into  a  moving 
column  of  the  enemy,  and  were  in  turn  captured  and  run  Dixieward 
without  further  ceremony.  To  make  matters  worse,  the  Union  ar 
tillery  posted  near  the  Yellow  Tavern,  seeing  the  Confederates  in 
our  rear,  opened  fire  directly  upon  the  woods,  and  between  this  fire 
and  that  of  the  enemy  it  appeared  as  if  Crawford's  division  would 
be  wiped  out, — a  veritable  case  of  between  the  devil  and  the  deep 


198  HISTORY  OF   THE 

sea ;  but  the  Confederates,  sweeping  across  our  rear,  quickly  disap 
peared,  capturing  in  their  erratic  course  a  large  number  of  the  5th 
Corps  who  were  so  unlucky  as  to  be  in  their  way. 

Among  our  men  captured  were  John  Wallace,  Harry  Durfer,  Wil 
liam  Hutchinson,  Jacob  Drexle,  Joseph  Hock,  Henry  Arnold,  Wil 
liam  Carey,  Morris  Robbins,  James  Miller,  Frank  Swavely,  Charles 
Yerger,  Isaac  Eyrich,  William  D.  Clemens,  Reuben  Neider,  Enoch 
Shaw,  Ben  Goodheart,  and  John  and  Lewis  Waterman, — in  all, 
about  thirty;  of  these,  the  last  eight  died  in  captivity.  Clemens 
and  Neider  were  especially  well  known  to  all  the  regiment  on  ac 
count  of  their  tall  figures  and  soldierly  appearance,  and  they,  with 
thousands  of  others,  were  starved  to  death.  In  the  stockade, 
Neider  shared  the  scanty  blanket  belonging  to  Robbins,  and  on  the 
morning  of  December  28,  when  Morris  awoke,  Neider  was  dead  in 
his  arms. 

After  getting  out  of  the  Wilderness,  the  brigade  reformed  and 
pushed  in  again,  when  Captain  Jacob  Houder,  a  most  estimable  and 
gallant  officer,  commanding  the  regiment,  was  struck  in  the  head  by 
a  musket  ball  and  instantly  killed.  Houder  was  a  favorite  young 
officer  who  had  been  identified  with  the  regiment  and  had  won  his 
shoulder-straps  by  hard  service.  Coming  so  soon  after  the  death  of 
the  lamented  Rhoads,  the  men  felt  the  loss  of  this  officer  keenly, 
and  very  mournfully  another  lowly  grave  was  fashioned,  the  boys 
tenderly  laying  their  fallen  chief  in  his  narrow  bed. 

Slowly  and  sadly  we  laid  him  down, 

From  the  field  of  his  fame  fresh  and  gory. 

We  carved  not  a  line,  we  raised  not  a  stone, 
But  we  left  him  alone  with  his  glory. 

That  all  the  brigade  was  not  captured  was  due  to  the  skill  of  Colo 
nel  Wheelock  and  the  valuable  services  of  Captain  S.  H.  Martin, 
Private  Threapleton  (Boocock),  and  others  of  the  88th,  who,  at  the 
request  of  the  colonel,  reconnoitred  the  woods  and  located  the 
position  of  the  enemy. 

The  5th  Corps  now  connected  with  the  Qth  Corps,  and,  throwing 
up  works,  planted  itself  firmly  across  the  road  in  a  manner  that  said 
we  have  come  to  stay.  On  account  of  the  incessant  rains  since 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  199 

the  1 3th,  the  condition  of  the  roads  was  frightful,  the  wagons  stall 
ing  and  the  soldiers  sticking  in  the  mire ;  but  the  boys  understood 
the  value  of  substantial  defences,  and  during  the  2oth  were  diligently 
employed  in  strengthening  the  lines,  and  it  was  well  for  us  that  we 
did  so,  for  on  the  2ist — Sunday — Lee  sent  Hill's  corps  with  instruc 
tions  to  drive  Warren  off.  Hill  concentrated  thirty  cannon  on  our 
left  and  opened  a  wicked  fire,  following  with  an  assault  by  his  infan 
try,  which  was  easily  repulsed  ;  then  he  moved  farther  to  the  left, 
intending  to  strike  the  line  in  left  and  rear,  and  launched  his  bat 
talions  to  the  attack ;  but  they  were  repulsed  everywhere  with  heavy 
loss,  including  many  prisoners  and  colors. 

The  Union  line  at  this  point  was  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  horse 
shoe,  the  position  assigned  to  the  regiment  being  on  the  right ;  con 
sequently,  when  the  enemy  opened  fire  it  took  the  men  in  the  back, 
and  for  protection  they  were  compelled  to  take  position  outside  of 
the  breastworks.  Through  all  this  fearful  hurricane  of  shot  and 
shell  General  Warren  rode  as  leisurely  and  calmly  as  if  nothing  was 
the  matter,  while  the  shells  were  knocking  the  stacked  muskets  sky- 
high,  tearing  off  legs  and  arms,  and  smashing  the  bodies  of  the  un 
fortunate  victims  into  unrecognizable  masses  of  blood,  flesh,  and 
bones.  After  this  bloody  repulse  Lee  gave  it  up,  having  lost  about 
3000  men;  the  loss  of  the  5th  Corps  was  about  4500,  over  3000 
being  taken  prisoners,  the  88th  having  thirty-two  killed,  wounded, 
and  captured. 

The  loss  of  some  of  the  regiments  in  the  division  is  here  given, 
mostly  in  prisoners : 

i6th  Maine 152 

iO4th  New  York 146 

39th  Massachusetts 293 

9Oth  Pennsylvania 121 

lo/th  Pennsylvania 152 

The  next  few  days  were  spent  in  building  more  works,  cleaning 
camp,  cleansing  uniforms,  and  tidying  up  generally,  and  on  August 
23  fresh  bread  was  issued ;  nobody  could  remember  when  the  last 
had  been  received. 


200  HISTORY  OF   THE 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

SIEGE    OF    PETERSBURG  :    AUGUST    24,   1864,  TO    MARCH   27,    1865. 

ON  August  25,  1864,  the  soldiers  were  called  to  arms  at  three 
A.M.,  and  after  some  delay,  head  of  column  was  directed  towards 
Petersburg  and  passed  through  the  thickets  where  the  recent  battles 
had  been  fought,  the  trees  and  saplings  being  much  scarred  by  the 
balls  of  the  contestants.  A  column  of  the  enemy  was  reported 
coming  down  the  road,  and  line  of  battle  was  formed  ;  but  the  Con 
federates  not  appearing,  the  column  countermarched,  passing  the 
Yellow  or  Globe  Tavern  and  marching  about  a  mile  towards  Ream's 
Station,  where  heavy  firing  was  heard,  then  halted  and  threw  up 
earthworks;  it  was  hard  labor  handling  this  soggy  earth.  Next  day 
a  treat,  in  the  shape  of  whiskey  and  quinine,  potatoes,  onions,  and 
fresh  bread,  was  issued  ;  we  then  moved  from  the  works  and  went 
into  camp.  Details  were  made  daily  to  build  Fort  Wadsworth  and 
some  other  heavy  earthworks. 

The  regiment  now  had  about  150  present,  but  as  the  time  of  many 
who  had  first  enlisted  would  soon  expire,  the  command  was  shortly 
to  be  still  further  reduced  in  numbers. 

The  first  of  those  to  go  home  who  had  not  re-enlisted  was  from 
Company  A,  on  August  23,  and  other  squads  quickly  followed  from 
time  to  time  as  their  terms  of  service  expired.  The  following  list 
gives  the  names  of  those  who  were  mustered  out  during  the  fall, 
though  not  all  were  present  with  the  regiment,  some  being  absent 
sick  or  wounded  and  others  on  detailed  duty : 

Company  A. — Sergeants  George  Shirey  and  Gabriel  Hill;  .Privates  Aaron 
Bechtle,  Daniel  Clouser,  James  Fagan,  Henry  Haywood,  Henry  Himmelright, 
D.  Hagan,  G.  W.  Hoffman,  M.  Hughston,  W.  M.  Johnson,  Levi  Miller,  Edward 
Miller,  William  Miller,  Isaac  Kelchner,  L.  Roland,  C.  A.  Roland,  C.  Strohecker, 
John  Wooden,  and  John  Zeiber. 

Company  B. — Sergeant   Zach.   Swavely ;  Corporals  Charles  S.  Butler,  Isaac  J. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  201 

Brown,  and  Aaron  Guenther;  Musician  Edward  Ball;  Privates  Daniel  Beidler, 
Jacob  Behm,  George  W.  Boger,  Joseph  C.  Clement,  Tobias  Deemer,  H.  Greimes, 
Joel  Reifsnyder,  William  Reiff,  Henry  D.  Reiff,  Peter  D.  Shearer,  Charles  H. 
Turner,  Jonathan  Wentzell,  and  Samuel  Wesley. 

Company  C. — Sergeants  J.  N.  Hanson,  C.  B.  Keil,  and  John  W.  Waters;  Cor 
porals  Henry  C.  Richardson,  Neal  Boyd,  James  W.  Colen,  and  J.  Pugh;  Privates 
W.  Buckings,  James  Hague,  P.  Hinkle,  J.  McDowell,  M.  Pinyard,  and  Peter 
Wilfong. 

Company  D. — Sergeant  William  Coppes  ;  Corporal  George  W.  Armstrong  ; 
Privates  Michael  Ruth,  John  Sanders,  and  C.  Wilday. 

Company  E. — Sergeants  William  Montgomery  and  John  R.  Jones ;  Privates 
Henry  S.  Booz  and  Henry  Lloyd. 

Company  F. — Privates  James  G.  Clark,  A.  Hersh,  Frederick  Restine,  and  Wil- 
iam  H.  Scott. 

Company  H. — Privates  Emanuel  Able,  John  Albright,  William  Bixenstine, 
Henry  Bosler,  Harrison  Eddinger,  J.  K.  Gorman,  F.  Heller,  and  William  Spicker. 

Company  I. — Corporal  Hugh  Rutherford,  Privates  Edward  D.  Nunneville, 
James  Perara,  and  John  D.  Vautier. 

Company  K. — Corporal  Gideon  Moyer;  Privates  William  P.  Clark,  Michael 
Conover,  and  Joseph  W.  Hanaman. 

After  these  old  war-dogs  had  gone  the  battalion  was  but  a  skeleton, 
a  shadow  of  its  former  strength  ;  but  the  soldiers  that  remained  were 
veterans  both  in  name  and  service,  as  true  as  tempered  steel. 

The  division  broke  camp  on  September  2,  and,  preceded  by  the 
cavalry,  pushed  out  to  the  left  through  the  woods,  thickets,  swamps, 
jungles,  and  briers  for  which  this  part  of  the  country  is  famous. 
The  column  thridded  the  unknown  wilderness  very  carefully,  and  as 
the  long  line  wound  its  sinuous  way  through  forest  and  clearing, 
every  man  was  as  silent  as  the  grave,  communing  with  his  own 
thoughts  and  wondering  what  fate  had  in  store  for  him.  But  after 
marching  a  mile  or  two  the  order  was  given  to  about-face  and  go 
back  to  camp ;  then  every  tongue  was  loosed,  and  the  procession 
that  a  little  while  before  was  as  silent  as  a  funeral  broke  out  in  noisy 
jest  and  cheerful  talk.  It  seemed  as  though  the  men  were  glad  that 
they  were  alive. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  while  cutting  timber,  a  tree  fell  on 
Corporal  Hoffman,  of  Company  A,  inflicting  mortal  injuries,  and 
on  the  following  day  Patrick  Clickett,  of  Company  K,  was  injured 
by  a  similar  accident,  but  recovered.  Another  movement  to  Poplar 


202  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Grove  Church  was  made  on  September  15,  the  Confederates  being 
pressed  back  some  three  or  four  miles,  when  the  division  returned  to 
camp. 

On  September  16  moved  camp  to  near  the  left  fort,  behind  the 
breastworks,  and  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Dushane  for  sev 
eral  days,  doing  fatigue  and  picket  duty  and  eating  Uncle  Samuel's 
rations  when  the  quartermaster  was  kind  enough  to  remember  us. 
Some  of  our  officers  were  never  appreciated  by  the  men,  the  quarter 
master  being  in  this  list ;  sometimes  they  were  condemned  very 
unjustly.  But  the  boys  must  have  something  to  growl  about  and 
somebody  to  growl  at,  and  the  quartermaster  filled  the  bill  as  well  as 
any  other  officer;  the  men  certainly  gave  him  "  bally-hoo"  on 
many  and  various  occasions. 

On  September  27  the  monotony  of  camp  life  was  broken  by  the 
accidental  explosion  of  a  caisson  while  a  battery  was  on  drill, 
killing  one  and  wounding  seven  men.  The  same  day  a  flag-pole 
130  feet  high  was  raised  at  Fort  Dushane,  so  named  after  an  officer 
who  had  been  killed  in  action  on  this  ground.  On  the  2Qth  the 
monotony  was  further  disturbed  by  a  reconnoissance  of  the  brigade 
towards  Ream's  Station,  but  the  command  returned  in  the  evening; 
nobody  hurt,  though  under  fire. 

After  the  departure  of  the  three  years'  men  affairs  in  camp  were 
very  quiet,  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional  expedition  in  the 
general  direction  of  the  South  Side  Railroad  ;  on  one  of  these  trips 
the  enemy  was  encountered  at  Treble's  farm,  but  Adjutant  Detre 
(in  command )  brought  the  regiment  safely  back  to  Fort  Dushane. 

In  November  200  conscripts  joined  the  regiment,  being  the  first 
important  addition  of  recruits  since  the  command  had  been  in  ser 
vice.  This  accession  brought  promotion  to  many  deserving  soldiers 
who  had  been  debarred  advancement  because  the  regiment  had  been 
so  weak  in  numbers,  many  privates  attaining  non-commissioned  rank 
and  the  following  changes  being  made  in  the  higher  grades : 


Company  A, — Lieutenant  Ninesteel  to  captain,  Lieutenant  Kram  to  first  lieu 
tenant,  Sergeant  Koch  to  lieutenant. 

Company  C. — Sergeant  Thwait  to  captain,  Sergeant  Herron  to  lieutenant. 
Company  D. — Sergeant  Hunter  to  lieutenant. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  203 

Company  E. — Lieutenant  Gilligan  to  captain,  Sergeant  D.  J.  Lehman  to  lieu 
tenant. 

Company  F. — Lieutenant  Clevinger  to  captain. 

Company  G. — Lieutenant  Gardiner  to  captain,  Sergeant  Bright  to  lieutenant. 

Company  H. — Lieutenant  Lawrence  to  captain,  Sergeant  McChaliker  to  lieu 
tenant. 

Company  I. — Lieutenant  Copestick  to  captain. 

Company  K. — Lieutenant  Martin  to  captain,  Sergeant  McKnight  to  lieutenant. 

On  December  7  the  division  marched  down  to  the  North  Caro 
lina  border,  on  what  is  known  as  the  apple-jack  raid,  each  man 
having  six  days'  rations  of  food  and  unlimited  rations  of  rain  and 
mud,  for  it  stormed  almost  every  day  while  on  the  raid.  The 
Johnnies  were  scattered  and  the  railroad  thoroughly  destroyed  as  far 
as  the  Mulherrin  River  ;  then  the  mud-bespattered  column  halted 
and,  meeting  strong  opposition,  concluded  to  return.  While  coming 
back  a  force  of  cavalry  acted  as  rear-guard,  the  88th  and  nth  Penn 
sylvania,  97th  New  York,  and  39th  Massachusetts  being  thrown  out 
as  flankers.  Presently  the  Confederate  troopers  following  the  column 
made  a  furious  and  unexpected  charge  upon  the  Union  horsemen 
bringing  up  the  rear,  driving  them  in  confusion  up  the  road  towards 
brigade  head-quarters.  The  field  and  staff  of  the  88th  were  inter 
ested  spectators  of  this  rout,  as  the  combatants  came  yelling  and 
tearing  along  the  muddy  road,  the  buttermilk  hunters  having  a  fine 
time  cutting  and  slashing  at  the  Union  troopers,  and  letting  them 
selves  out  on  the  rebel  yell  to  the  full  capacity  of  their  healthy  kings. 
This  humiliating  scene  thoroughly  disgusted  Adjutant  Gilligan,  and 
directing  Dr.  Shoemaker  and  the  rest  of  the  staff  to  seek  protection 
at  brigade  head-quarters,  he  determined  to  stop  the  stampede. 
Drawing  his  sword,  he  rode  boldly  down  to  the  fleeing  mob,  calling 
upon  the  Union  troopers  to  halt  and  rally,  but  his  appeal  had  no 
effect  upon  them.  The  confusion  was  so  great,  and  our  cavalry  were 
in  such  haste  to  get  the  aid  of  the  infantry,  that  they  passed  the  lieu 
tenant,  and  before  he  realized  the  situation  he  was  in  the  midst  of 
the  Confederates,  nearly  every  one  of  whom  cut  and  lunged  at  him 
in  the  most  spiteful  manner.  Gilligan  was  dazed  at  this  kind  of 
reception,  but  by  parrying  the  vicious  thrusts  he  managed  to  save 
his  skin,  until  an  unkempt  and  unwashed  grayback  rode  within  a  few 


204  HISTORY  OF  THE 

feet  of  Him  and,  presenting  a  navy  revolver,  ordered  him  to  surren 
der.  This  the  lieutenant  did,  but  the  Confederates  were  so  intent 
on  the  fun  they  were  having  that  they  all  chased  off  alter  our  horse 
men,  leaving  the  captive  alone  in  the  road.  They  had  not  pro 
ceeded  far  before  they  received  the  fire  of  the  infantry ;  then  the 
whole  squad  came  tearing  back,  the  Union  troopers  now  in  pursuit. 
Gilligan  saw  them  coming,  and  hoping  to  save  himself  from  being 
taken  south,  he  slipped  off  his  horse  and  lay  flat  in  the  mire  in  the 
road.  When  the  Johnnies  reached  him  they  had  no  time  to  stop, 
and  though  they  tried  to  sabre  him  as  he  lay  in  the  mire,  he  escaped 
without  a  scratch,  being,  however,  completely  covered  with  mud. 
The  boys  had  seen  him  captured,  and  when  he  rode  into  the  lines 
again,  encased  with  mud  from  head  to  foot,  he  was  received  with 
shouts  of  welcome  and  laughter  at  the  unique  appearance  he  pre 
sented.  This  was  Gilligan's  first  and  last  attempt  to  rally  cavalry 
men  ;  he  had  enough  and  he  knew  it.  To  punish  the  pursuing 
squadrons  a  trap  was  laid  for  them,  our  infantry  lying  in  ambush  on 
the  flanks,  while  the  cavalry  again  allowed  themselves  to  be  chased 
along  the  road.  The  Confederate  troopers  took  the  bait,  hook  and 
all,  and  when  the  infantry  rose  and  delivered  a  telling  fire  into  their 
ranks  at  short  range,  what  was  left  of  them  kept  at  a  respectful  dis 
tance  during  the  remainder  of  the  march,  and  the  rear  was  not  again 
molested. 

The  division  returned  to  camp  on  December  14,  many  of  the  men 
with  apple-jack  in  their  canteens ;  hence  the  name  given  the  raid. 
After  the  apple-jack  raid  the  command  settled  down  in  winter-quar 
ters,  any  extensive  movement  in  this  alluvial  country  being  impos 
sible,  and  only  the  usual  hyemal  work  was  done,  enlivened  by  an 
occasional  foray  into  the  disputed  territory  when  the  weather  per 
mitted,  Captain  Lawrence  being  in  command. 

On  December  17  details  cut  logs  for  winter-quarters,  and  on 
Christmas-eve  the  new  huts  were  occupied.  There  were  no  stock 
ings  hung,  nor  any  Santa  Claus  in  that  camp,  nor  turkey  fixings  that 
Christmas,  the  only  luxury  enjoyed  being  the  dispensing  with  all 
drills  in  honor  of  the  day. 

January  i,  1865,  dawned  pleasant  and  quiet;  on  the  5th  a  detail 
with  twelve  wagons  went  four  miles  beyond  the  lines  for  boards  to 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  205 

complete  the  quarters.  It  is  needless  to  remark  that  in  such  business 
the  88th  was  eminently  successful.  On  February  5,  by  way  of  diver 
sion,  the  brigade  marched  down  the  Weldon  Railroad,  destroying  en 
route  all  property  that  gave  comfort  and  shelter  to  the  enemy,  and 
lay  in  line  of  battle  all  night.  Candor  compels  the  statement  that 
the  term  "lay"  is  a  misnomer,  as  the  boys  had  to  walk  around  all 
night  to  keep  from  freezing,  fires  being  prohibited. 

On  the  6th  marched  across  Hatcher's  Run  and  bivouacked  till 
noon,  then  formed  line  and  pushed  on  towards  the  Boydton  road, 
Baxter,  with  the  pyth  New  York,  i6th  Maine,  and  3pth  Massachu 
setts,  in  the  first  line,  and  the  nth  and  88th  Pennsylvania  in  the 
second.  In  this  order  they  ran  against  Pegram's  division  and  a 
lively  scrap  ensued,  Pegram  being  killed  ;  but  Mahone's  Confederate 
division  flanking  Crawford's  right,  the  whole  division  was  forced 
back  with  loss.  The  woods  were  so  dense  that  it  was  impossible  to 
see  far,  and,  remembering  their  rough  experience  in  a  similar  posi 
tion  on  the  Weldon  Railroad  in  August,  the  men  were  very  reluctant 
about  advancing  in  such  a  thicket,  unless  assured  of  prompt  support. 
Ayers's  division  was  assigned  a  position  on  the  right  of  Crawford, 
but  before  his  troops  could  get  into  line  the  enemy  advanced,  and 
the  scattering  shots  of  the  skirmishers,  followed  by  the  long,  steady 
ripple  of  line  firing,  announced  that  the  battle  had  opened  on  the 
right,  and  taking  Ayers  before  he  could  fully  form  to  receive  their 
onset,  the  Confederates  broke  his  line,  sending  some  of  his  troops 
back  in  disorder.  The  giving  way  of  Ayers  involved  Crawford,  the 
fire  of  the  enemy  quickly  opening  through  the  woods,  and  Baxter 
and  the  rest  were  forced  back  to  near  the  run  ;  but  here  the  men 
rallied,  and  when  the  exultant  Johnnies  came  dashing  through  the 
woods  they  received  so  severe  a  fire  that  they  were  brought  to  a 
stand  very  quickly.  The  Confederates  then  drew  off,  and  the  5th 
Corps  bivouacked  for  the  night  in  this  position,  in  the  mud  and 
rain, — a  most  cheerless  and  miserable  one,  the  men  being  scarcely 
able  to  keep  from  freezing  to  death. 

The  troops  were  up  early  on  the  morning  of  the  yth ;  in  truth, 
they  were  up  all  night,  and  a  more  disagreeable  time  it  would  be 
hard  to  conceive.  Under  the  circumstances,  to  have  lain  down  and 
slept  would  have  resulted  in  death. 


206  HISTORY  OF  THE 

After  a  not  very  exhilarating  feast  on  hardtack,  hog  fat,  and 
water,  the  muskets  were  put  in  order,  line  of  battle  formed,  and 
we  got  to  work  to  earn  the  day's  wages.  The  line  pushed  through 
the  woods  and  bogs,  the  rain  freezing  as  it  fell  and  coating  every 
thing — trees,  brush,  soldiers,  and  ground — with  a  sheet  of  ice.  The 
men  were  chilled  to  the  bone,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it,  so  the 
line  painfully  and  slowly  swept  on.  Now,  it  happened  that  the  rebs 
were  anxious  to  learn  what  these  lost  children  of  the  5th  Corps 
wanted  in  this  debatable  land,  and  about  the  time  that  the  Union 
line  advanced,  the  divisions  of  Pegram,  Mahone,  and  Evans  also 
moved  forward,  the  result  being  a  sharp  fight  in  the  woods,  the 
Johnnies  being  pressed  back  to  their  works.  Here  Baxter  remained 
close  up  to  the  enemy's  line  until  the  loth,  when  the  2d  Corps 
occupied  the  line  permanently,  the  5th  returning  to  camp. 

The  l.oss  of  the  5th  Corps  and  the  cavalry  in  this  movement  was 
officially  given  as  1165  killed  and  wounded  and  154  missing.  The 
loss  in  the  88th  was  partially  reported  as  follows  :  Killed,  C.  McNulty, 
James  Phillips,  James  Yoder,  H.  Jaques,  E.  Phillips,  F.  Monroe,  J. 
Bryner,  M.  Volkir.  Among  the  wounded  were  Captain  Martin, 
Frank  Charles,  August  Kissinger,  William  A.  Boyd,  and  Mortimer 
Wisham. 

This  was  the  initial  battle  of  the  recruits  who  had  lately  joined 
the  regiment,  and  it  may  be  said  to  their  credit  that  they  acquitted 
themselves  very  well,  being  undoubtedly  influenced  by  the  personal 
example  of  the  veterans,  all  of  whom  behaved  with  signal  bravery, 
Sergeant  William  A.  Sands,  of  Company  G,  being  especially  men 
tioned  and  honored  with  a  furlough,  which,  in  view  of  the  stirring 
events  quickly  following,  he  declined. 

After  this  little  episode  the  boys  remained  in  camp  attending  to 
business,  when  there  was  any,  until  the  25th  of  March,  when  pan 
demonium  broke  loose  on  the  right,  caused  by  Gordon's  irruption 
on  our  lines  at  Fort  Steadman,  and  our  division  was  pulled  out  of 
camp  and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Meade's  head-quarters,  to 
take  part  in  the  fray,  if  needed.  But  Hartranft's  Pennsylvanians 
settled  Gordon's  hash,  and  our  boys  moved  to  near  Fort  Dushane, 
where  they  were  reviewed  by  President  Lincoln  and  lots  of  lesser 
stars:  major-generals  were  so  thick  in  these  days  as  to  cease  to  cause 


CAPTAIN  CHARLES  MCK.NIGHI 


LIEUTENANT    RoIiERT    L.    CAKN> 


CAPTAIN  SYLVESTER  II.  MARTIN. 


SERGEANT  JOSEPH  SERGEANT.  CORPORAL  WILLIAM  B.  THREAPLETON. 

COMPANY    K. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  207 

remark.  During  the  first  year  of  the  war,  if  a  general  of  any  grade 
came  along  the  boys  thought  it  the  orthodox  thing  to  get  up  as  big 
a  hurrah  as  possible,  and  the  generals  relished  it ;  but  nowadays 
"Old  Grant"  or  "Pop  Meade"  passed  by  with  scarcely  a  salute, 
they  appearing  to  enjoy  this  quietness  just  as  much  as  the  smaller 
commanders  did  the  hubbub  in  other  days.  General  Warren  was 
always  with  his  men  :  in  the  front  where  the  missiles  were  thickest, 
building  works,  or  wherever  else  the  soldiers  were  stationed,  there 
Warren  could  be  found. 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE    LAST    CAMPAIGN. 

ON  March  29,  1865,  the  bugles  sounded  for  the  final  pack-up,  and 
soon  the  camps  were  deserted,  though  many  of  the  incredulous  ones, 
bearing  in  mind  the  numerous  former  abortive  movements,  confi 
dently  predicted  a  speedy  return  ;  but  the  column  pulled  out  to 
wards  the  Boydton  road,  and  the  soldiers  never  saw  those  camps 
again.  % 

The  line  of  march  was  along  the  Halifax  road  parallel  to  the 
Weldon  Railroad,  beyond  the  breastworks  turning  sharply  westward 
and  crossing  Rowanty  Creek  at  Monk's  Neck  Bridge  and  road,  then 
north  on  the  Quaker  road,  finally  reaching  Boydton  plank  road  near 
the  junction  of  the  two  roads,  where  the  corps  halted  and  intrenched. 
The  weather,  probably  to  maintain  its  past  record  during  like  move 
ments,  went  back  on  the  boys  again,  a  heavy  rain  drenching  them 
to  the  skin  and  presaging  another  unsuccessful  attempt  on  this  flank  ; 
but  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  the  3ist,  it  cleared  nicely,  though  the 
country  was  a  vast  swamp,  the  only  hard  ground  apparently  being 
the  ridge  upon  which  the  enemy  was  securely  posted.  About  noon 
a  general  advance  was  made  against  the  Southern  works  along  the 
White  Oak  road,  defended  by  the  brigades  of  Hunton,  Wise, 
McGowan,  and  Grade;  but  the  assault  was  repelled,  the  enemy  ad 
vancing  and,  flanking  Crawford  and  Ayres,  forced  them  back  upon 
Griffin,  where  the  broken  battalions  reformed.  Later  in  the  after 
noon  another  advance  was  ordered,  the  men  going  in  with  confi 
dence  and  spirit,  striking  the  Confederate  line  near  the  road,  and 
by  a  gallant  charge  carrying  the  works,  capturing  many  flags  and 
prisoners.  This  action  is  generally  known  as  the  battle  of  White 
Oak  road  or  Gravelly  Run.  Several  of  the  regiment  were  wounded 
in  this  spirited  fight,  among  them  Captain  Gilligan,  Jacob  Sinister, 
Thomas  H.  Anderson,  and  John  S.  Campbell. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  209 

News  now  came  that  Sheridan,  with  his  cavalry,  was  hard  pressed 
by  Pickett's  infantry  at  Dinwiddie,  and  that  the  5th  Corps  must  go 
to  the  rescue;  so  late  at  night  the  march  was  made  to  Sheridan's 
assistance,  and  the  morning  of  April  i  found  the  5th  Corps  pushing 
through  the  fields,  concentrating  near  Gravelly  Run,  close  to  Crump's 
farm.  Early  in  the  afternoon  the  column  marched  to  Gravelly  Run 
Church  and  massed,  preparatory  to  a  united  advance  upon  Pickett  at 
Five  Forks,  Warren  to  smash  his  left  and  the  cavalry  to  break  his 
front.  Behind  his  works,  Pickett,  with  the  brigades  of  Corse,  Terry, 
Steuart,  Ransom,  and  Wallace  and  the  cavalry  divisions  of  Mun- 
ford,  Lee,  and  Rosser, — in  all,  upward  of  13,000  veteran  Confeder 
ate  soldiers, — confidently  waited  for  Warren's  attack.  The  5th  Corps 
was  about  12,000  strong,  the  cavalry  mustering  several  thousand 
more,  and  when  this  force  moved  to  the  attack  it  bore  all  opposition 
before  it.  The  88th,  with  Baxter's  brigade,  deflected  somewhat  to 
the  right,  striking  the  graybacks  well  to  their  left  and  rear,  and 
though  they  made  a  plucky  stand,  nothing  could  resist  the  impetuous 
rush  of  Crawford's  troops,  who,  bursting  through,  captured  men  by 
the  thousands,  together  with  colors  and  whole  batteries.  The  vic 
tory  was  complete ;  Pickett's  brigades  were  dispersed,  those  who  es 
caped  the  infantry  being  chased  by  the  cavalry,  and  not  a  battery  or 
regiment  maintained  its  organization.  After  the  men  had  yelled 
themselves  hoarse  over  the  victory,  the  corps  moved  back  towards 
Gravelly  Run  Church  and  rested  for  the  night,  and  there  wasn't  a 
man  in  that  jubilant  camp  but  felt  he  had  grown  a  foot  taller  since 
sunrise. 

The  Union  loss  was  about  1000 ;  of  these,  634  were  from  the  5th 
Corps,  over  300  being  from  Crawford's  division.  The  enemy  lost 
nearly  6000  in  prisoners  alone,  the  5th  Corps  capturing  about  3300, 
with  eleven  colors  and  one  entire  battery.  The  loss  in  our  regiment 
included  some  who  had  served  in  every  campaign  and  participated 
in  every  battle,  only  to  die  in  this  our  last  general  engagement  of 
the  Rebellion.  A  partial  list  is  as  follows:  killed,  Captain  Koch, 
Lieutenant  Lehman,  and  David  Whitaker;  wounded,  Lieutenants 
Wade  and  Ney,  and  Charles  Small. 

Sunday,  April  2,  1865,  dawned  calm  and  peaceful,  but  there  was 
no  rest  for  the  weary ;  the  corps  marched  towards  Petersburg,  then 

14 


2io  HISTORY  OF   THE 

countermarched  to  Hatcher's  Run,  crossed  and  went  to  the  famous 
South  Side  Railroad,  then,  facing  towards  Petersburg  again  and  bear 
ing  to  the  left,  halted  at  night  north  of  Sutherland  Station  on  the 
Namozine  road,  and  after  a  skirmish,  bivouacked  at  eleven  P.M.,  all 
the  men  very  tired. 

The  absence  of  General  Warren  had  been  noted,  but  it  was  not 
generally  known  until  late  on  the  2d  that  he  had  been  relieved  by 
General  Sheridan.  General  Warren  had  endeared  himself  to  his 
command,  was  universally  respected  as  a  brave,  careful,  and  ener 
getic  commander,  and  his  removal  was  regarded  as  an  act  of  injus 
tice  to  a  man  who  was  always  at  the  front  among  his  men,  regardless 
of  his  own  comfort  or  safety. 

On  April  3  the  corps,  under  General  Griffin,  was  astir  bright  and 
early,  but  Lee  had  evacuated  Petersburg  and  was  breaking  away  for 
the  mountains,  evidently  hunting  the  last  ditch  ;  so  the  column  was 
started  in  hot  pursuit,  halting  at  ten  o'clock  P.M.  at  Deep  Creek;  up 
again  at  day-dawn  on  the  4th,  on  the  trail  of  the  Confederate  army, 
and  passing  many  discouraged  stragglers,  most  of  whom  were  fast 
losing  faith  in  the  Confederacy.  Remained  at  Jetersville  on  the 
5th,  in  line  of  battle,  but  Lee  slipped  by;  then  about  faced  and 
went  to  Paineville,  then  to  Legontown,  and  halted  for  the  night. 
On  the  yth  marched  to  Prince  Edwards,  on  the  8th  to  Prospect 
Station,  thence  to  Appomattox,  which  was  reached  on  the  morning 
of  the  Qth,  after  an  exhausting  march. 

The  5th  and  24th  Corps,  with  Sheridan's  troopers,  were  now 
planted  across  Lee's  line  of  retreat,  while  the  2d  and  6th  Corps 
came  driving  up  in  his  rear.  On  the  9th  he  made  a  determined 
effort  to  break  through  what  he  supposed  to  be  the  Union  cavalry, 
but  when  he  discovered  the  infantry  in  line  of  battle,  he  saw  that 
further  resistance  was  useless,  and  surrendered  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia  to  its  old  foe,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  When  the  formal 
announcement  of  the  surrender  was  made  the  soldiers  were  wild 
with  joy.  Towards  their  late  foes  only  the  kindest  actions  were 
manifested,  and  when  it  was  known  that  Lee's  ragged  veterans  were 
starving,  the  Union  soldiers  willingly  shared  their  scanty  rations  with 
them.  Tp  the  5th  Corps  was  assigned  the  duty  of  executing  the 
conditions  of  the  capitulation,  and  the  regiment  remained  here 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  211 

until  April  15,  then  marched  back  to  Wilson's  Station,  under  com 
mand  of  Captain  Aaron  Bright.  While  here  the  regiment  received 
several  hundred  conscripts,  but  it  seemed  like  a  new  organization, 
as  less  than  one  hundred  of  the  original  members  were  now  with  it. 
In  recognition  of  long  and  faithful  service,  many  of  the  veterans 
were  promoted  to  commissioned  officers  during  the  spring,  the  roster 
of  the  regiment  in  June,  1865,  being  as  follows  : 

Colonel,  Louis  WAGNER. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  EDMUND  A.  MASS. 

Major,  AARON  BRIGHT,  JR. 

Adjutant,  ISAIAH  MclNTiRE. 

Quartermaster,  ALBERT  C.  WESTER. 

Surgeons,  JOHN  WINDSOR  RAWLINS,  M.  B.  MCALEAR. 

Quartermaster  Sergeant,  ELIAS  D.  KERST. 

Commissary  Sergeant,  GEORGE  T.  DONALDSON. 

Hospital  Steward,  FRANK  K.  MURPHY. 

Principal  Musician,  JOHN  F.  KELLER. 

Company  A. — Captain,  D.  W.  Ney ;  Lieutenants,  G.  H.  Reiff,  Joseph  H.  Kline. 
Company  B. — Captain,  Albert  Nagle;   Lieutenants,  A.  H.  Moyer,  L.  K.  Mohn. 
Company  6". — Captain,  Robert  Thwait;   Lieutenants,  Robert  Herron,  Jonathan  E. 

Rogers. 

Company  D. — Captain,  James  P.  Meade ;  Lieutenants,  John  Ewing,  M.  Wisham. 
Company  E. — Captain,  E.  L.  Gilligan  ;  Lieutenants,  J.  S.  Campbell,  Joseph  Burris. 
Company  F. — Captain,  R.  B.  Clevinger;  Lieutenants,  Matthew  Myers,  H.  S. 

Wade. 

Company  G. — Captain,  William  Huber ;  Lieutenants,  C.  R.  Soder,  William  Truett. 
Company  H, — Captain,  J.  H.  Lawrence;  Lieutenants,  Jefferson  Good,  John  Wit- 

moyer. 

Company  I. — Captain,  H.  J.  Copestick;  Lieutenants,  H.  D.  Evans,  J.  K.  Shelcup. 
Company  K. — Captain,  Charles  McKnight ;  Lieutenants,  D.  Linsenbigler,  C.  C. 

Lambert. 

Early  in  May  the  march  (for  the  last  time)  was  taken  for  Wash 
ington  and  home  1  Passed  through  Richmond  on  the  6th,  thence 
in  successive  stages  past  Hanover  Court-House,  across  the  Pamunkey, 
Mattapony,  through  Bowling  Green,  over  the  Rappahannock  to 
near  Fairfax,  and  encamped  near  Alexandria.  On  May  24  passed 
in  grand  review  before  the  President,  returning  to  camp  in  the  even 
ing.  Less  than  100  of  the  men  who  left  Philadelphia  with  the  regi 
ment  marched  in  this  grand  parade.  Nearly  200  filled  soldiers' 


212  HISTORY  OF   THE 

graves,  hundreds  were  discharged  disabled  for  life,  and  many  more 
occupied  cots  in  the  hospitals,  wrecks  of  humanity,  maimed  and 
helpless,  dependents  upon  the  bounty  of  their  families  for  daily  bread. 
But  those  men  of  iron  and  pluck  who  fought  the  long  war  through 
deserve  greater  praise  and  more  extended  mention  than  can  be 
given  here. 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp  until  June  30,  1865,  when  the 
men  were  formally  released  as  soldiers  of  Uncle  Sam.  The  regi 
ment  was  then  sent  to  Philadelphia,  encamping  at  Camp  Cadwalader, 
and,  upon  the  completion  of  the  respective  rolls,  the  soldiers  were 
sent  to  their  homes,  most  of  the  conscripts  living  in  Western  Penn 
sylvania. 

And  now  the  author's  task  is  done.  He  has  tried  to  write  a  fair 
and  correct  history  without  fear  or  favor.  Much  that  is  interesting 
has  been  omitted ;  all  has  been  condensed.  Doubtless,  if  another 
edition  is  issued  a  much  better  book  will  be  produced.  If  the  his 
torian  has  succeeded  in  pleasing  his  comrades,  he  will  feel  abundantly 
rewarded  for  years  of  labor  spent  on  this  work ;  if  he  has  failed,  he 
promises  not  to  do  so  again. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  213 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

SOME    STRAY    SHOTS. 

WHILE  the  Confederate  army  near  Richmond  was  during  the  last 
weeks  of  the  war  in  desperate  straits,  owing  to  insufficient  means  for 
providing  for  the  soldiers,  yet  Lee  had  at  this  time  more  men  under 
his  command  than  at  the  beginning  of  Grant's  campaign.  Accord 
ing  to  Confederate  reports,  there  were  present,  including  local  and 
independent  commands,  78,780;  present  for  duty,  64,786.  Doubt 
less,  in  March,  1865,  Lee's  strength  amounted  to  upward  of  70,000 
troops  of  all  arms. 

Appended  is  a  statement  of  the  losses  of  the  rebel  army  in  the 
final  death-struggle  : 

Fort  Steadman,  March  25,  1865 4, 500 

White  Oak  road  and  Dinwiddie,  March  31 1,500 

Five  Forks,  April  I 6,000 

Petersburg,  April  2 3>5°° 

Richmond,  April  2  and  3 1,000 

Sailor's  Creek,  April  6 '  7,000 

Minor  engagements 3,ooo 

Stragglers  picked  up 2,500 

Surrendered  April  9 28,356 

Total 57>356 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  country  was  swarming  with  thousands 
of  demoralized  stragglers  who  never  surrendered,  while  the  cavalry, 
which  on  February  20  reported  9437  present,  surrendered  only  1559 
men,  the  remainder  escaping  and  scattering  to  their  homes. 

The  returns  of  the  Confederate  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  for 
almost  the  entire  war  are  appended.  They  make  an  interesting 
study,  not  only  as  showing  the  strength  present  at  various  battles, 
but  also  the  demoralization  of  this  army  towards  the  close  of  the  war. 


214 


HISTORY  OF   THE 


Date.  Present  and  Absent. 

February  28,  1862  .....       84,225 

July  20,  1862  .......  137,030 

September  30,  1862    ....  139,143 

March  31,  1863   ......  109,839 

May  31,  1863  .......  133.689 

July  31,  1863  .......  117,602 

November  20,  1863    ....       96,576 

April  10,  1864     ......      97,576 

June  30,  1864     ......       92,685 

July  10,  1864  .......  !35»8c5 

November  30,  1864    ....  181,826 

February  28,  1865  .....  160,411 


.al  Present. 

Present  for  Duty. 

56,396 

47,617 

94,686 

69.559 

62,713 

52,609 

73,379 

60,298 

88,754 

68,352 

53,6n 

41,135 

56,088 

48,269 

61,218 

52,626 

62,571 

51,863 

68,844 

57,097 

87,860 

69,290 

73,349 

59,094 

The  foregoing  table  indicates  that  after  the  seven  days'  campaign 
upward  of  43,000  men  were  absent;  after  Antietam,  76,000  ;  after 
Gettysburg,  63,000  ;  in  July,  before  Petersburg,  66,000  ;  in  No 
vember,  93,000;  and  during  the  last  weeks  of  the  siege  upward 
of  87,000  were  absent  from  various  causes.  We  may  further  learn 
from  this  table,  taking  into  consideration  those  killed  and  the 
many  who  were  discharged  in  consequence  of  disabling  wounds 
and  disease,  that  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  aggregated  during 
the  war  upward  of  400,000  soldiers. 

The  following  percentage  is  from  the  "Medical  History  of  the 
War:" 

Out  of  about  every  65  men,  one  man  was  killed  in  action. 

Out  of  about  every  56  men,  one  man  died  of  wounds. 

Out  of  about  every  13  men,  one  man  died  of  disease. 

Out  of  about  every    9  men,  one  man  died  in  the  service. 

Out  of  about  every  15  men,  one  man  was  captured  or  missing. 

Out  of  about  every  10  men,  one  man  was  wounded. 

Out  of  about  every    7  men   captured,  one  man  died  in  captivity. 


The  following  table  of  the  losses  of  our  old  brigade,  as  consti 
tuted  at  various  times,  is  from  the  Official  Records.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  there  are  two  more  in  the  mortality  of  the  88th  than 
this  History  gives.  All  the  other  regiments  had  a  much  larger 
enrolment  than  the  88th,  hence  their  greater  loss: 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  215 

Killed  and  Died  of  Total  Total 

died  of  Wounds.  Disease.  Deaths.  Enrolment. 

nth  Pennsylvania 236              181  417  2052 

97th  New  York 181             157  338  2105 

I2th  Massachusetts 193               83  276  1535 

9th  New  York  State  Militia    .164               97  261  2278 

94th  New  York 110             137  247  .    . 

goth  Pennsylvania 103              127  230  .    . 

88th  Pennsylvania 109               72  181  1213 

I3th  Massachusetts 121               40  161  1439 

LOSSES    BY    STATES. 

The  percentage,  by  States,  of  men  killed  in  battle  follows. 

Pennsylvania  stands  highest,  with 7.1 

Vermont  is  second,  with 6.8 

New  Hampshire  is  third,  with 6.5 

Maine  is  fourth,  with 6.4 

Massachusetts  is  fifth,  with 6.2 

On  the  Southern  side  accurate  figures  are  not  obtainable,  but  the 
States  follow  in  this  order  :  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Missis 
sippi,  etc. 

Occupations. — Forty-eight  per  cent,  of  the  soldiers  were  farmers; 
twenty-four  per  cent.,  mechanics;  sixteen  per  cent.,  laborers;  five 
per  cent.,  commercial  men;  three  per  cent.,  professional  men ;  and 
four  per  cent.,  miscellaneous. 

Nationality. — Over  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  soldiers  were 
native  Americans,  and  of  the  half  million  foreigners,  175,000  were 
Germans,  150,000  Irish,  50,000  English,  50,000  from  British  North 
America,  and  75,000  from  all  other  nations. 

THE    REGIMENTAL   ASSOCIATION. 

The  survivors  of  the  regiment  met  at  No.  402  Walnut  Street, 
Philadelphia,  on  July  23,  1874,  and  effected  a  permanent  organiza 
tion,  which  has  been  continued  until  the  present  time.  An  annual 
reunion  of  all  the  surviving  soldiers  of  the  regiment  was  appointed 
for  August  9  of  each  year,  but  this  date  was  subsequently  changed 
to  October  5,  the  anniversary  of  the  departure  of  the  regiment  from 
Philadelphia  in  1861.  The  gatherings  are  appointed  to  be  held 


216  HISTORY  OF   THE 

alternately  at  Philadelphia  and  Reading,  but  this  has  been  changed 
to  suit  the  occasion,  several  meetings  having  been  held  at  Gettys 
burg,  one  at  Fortress  Monroe  in  1885,  and  one  in  1892  at  Alexan 
dria,  Virginia.  On  this  last  occasion  the  grave  of  every  deceased 
member  of  the  88th  Regiment  in  the  Alexandria  and  Arlington 
National  Cemeteries  was  suitably  decorated  with  the  national  em 
blem. 

REGIMENTAL    COLORS. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  Association's  life  the  Reading  contingent, 
through  the  exertions  of  Comrades  Boone  and  Witmoyer,  assisted  by 
Mrs.  Boone  and  Artist  Philip  Igle,  procured  an  elegant  banner  for  the 
organization,  which  was  proudly  carried  at  the  head  of  the  old  regi 
ment  in  public  displays  for  years;  but  the  banner,  like  the  old  sol 
diers,  after  years  of  good  service,  became  faded  and  worn.  In  order 
to  give  the  veterans  something  new  and  bright  to  follow,  Mrs.  John 
D.  Vautier  conceived  the  idea  of  procuring  a  flag  for  them  without 
their  knowledge,  and,  calling  on  Mrs.  Frank  K.  Murphy,  Mrs.  G. 
W.  Boger,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Mass,  Mrs.  R.  B.  Beath,  and  Mrs.  John  T. 
Williams,  these  ladies  constituted  themselves  a  committee  on  flags, 
and  went  to  work  with  a  will  to  see  what  they  could  do  for  the  old 
boys.  They  called  in  the  aid  of  Mrs.  G.  P.  McLean,  Mrs.  James 
Hague,  Mrs.  C.  Hunter,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Wentzell,  Mrs.  W.  W.  Stretch, 
Mrs.  S.  H.  Martin,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Clothier,  Mrs.  H.  Copestick,  Mrs. 
W.  Coppes,  Mrs.  E.  L.  Gilligan,  Mrs.  T.  W.  Dunham,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Harkisheimer,  Mrs.  T.  Albright,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Rutherford,  Mrs.  J.  C. 
Clement,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Threapleton,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Clark,  Mrs.  S.  G. 
Boone,  and  others.  These  ladies  pushed  the  affair  so  vigorously 
that  they  collected  enough  to  buy  two  handsome  silk  flags,  costing 
$125,  which  they  presented  to  the  surprised  members,  whom  they 
had  inveigled,  under  some  false  pretence,  into  the  hall  of  Post  5,  on 
October  2,  1890.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  boys  were  very 
proud  of  their  flags,  and  freely  forgave  their  wives  and  sweethearts 
for  their  duplicity. 

GETTYSBURG    MONUMENTS. 

In  1868  the  United  States  government  dedicated  the  beautiful 
monument  in  the  National  Cemetery  to  the  memory  of  the  heroic 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  217 

dead  who  on  this  field  gave  their  all  to  their  country.  This  example 
has  been  followed  by  the  organizations  engaged  in  the  battle,  thus 
appropriately  perpetuating  the  sacred  and  patriotic  memories  of  the 
place.  The  Veteran  Association  of  the  88th  Regiment  was  among 
the  first  to  follow  this  fitting  example,  erecting  three  granite  tablets, 
designating  the  positions  of  the  regiment  in  the  three  days'  contest. 
They  were  formally  dedicated  on  August  27,  1883,  tne  orator  being 
General  George  W.  Gile,  who  delivered  an  eloquent  and  impressive 
oration  that  was  attentively  listened  to  by  a  large  gathering  of  the 
survivors  of  the  regiment,  who  came  to  Gettysburg  for  the  purpose. 
The  oration  was  reported  in  full  in  some  of  the  daily  papers,  and 
was  universally  accepted  as  a  masterly  and  scholarly  address  on  this 
interesting  subject. 

Subsequently  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  appropriated  $1500  for 
a  suitable  memorial  for  each  command  engaged  in  the  battle,  and 
to  this  sum  the  survivors  of  the  88th  Regiment  added  $1500, 
making  $3000  in  all ;  with  this  amount  a  magnificent  granite  monu 
ment — the  handsomest  and  most  unique  on  the  field — was  erected 
and  unveiled  before  the  regiment  on  September  u,  1889.  Colonel 
George  E.  Wagner  delivered  the  dedicatory  address,  an  exceedingly 
well  prepared  sketch  of  the  regiment's  share  in  the  fight,  which  was 
heartily  received  by  the  assembled  veterans  and  their  friends,  and 
subsequently  published  in  full  by  the  State  in  "  Pennsylvania  at 
Gettysburg." 

INSCRIPTION    ON   THE   MONUMENT. 

\Front.~\ 

88TH  P.  V. 

{Rear.~\ 

88xH  PENNA.  INFANTRY. 
20  BRIGADE,  20  DIVISION,  IST  CORPS. 

{Right.} 

About  noon  July  I,  1863,  the  regiment  was  in  line  along  the  Mummasburg 
road,  200  yards  S.  E.  of  this  monument.  Later  it  changed  direction  and  formed 
here,  charged  forward  and  captured  two  battle-flags  and  a  number  of  prisoners. 
At  four  P.M.  the  division  was  overpowered  and  forced  through  the  town.  July  2 
the  regiment  was  in  position  facing  the  Emmittsburg  road,  and  on  July  3  at 
Ziegler's  Grove,  as  indicated  by  markers.  Number  engaged  296;  killed  and 
mortally  wounded  7,  wounded  52,  captured  or  missing  51. 


218 


HISTORY  OF   THE 


Recruited  in  Philadelphia  and  Reading.     Mustered  in  September,  1861.     Re- 
enlisted  January,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  30,  1865. 


Cedar  Mountain. 
Rappahannock  Station. 
Thoroughfare  Gap. 
Second  Bull  Run. 
Chantilly. 
Antietam. 


ENGAGEMENTS. 

Fredericksburg. 

North  Anna. 

Dabney's  Mills. 

Chancellorsville. 

Totopotomoy. 

Boydton  Road. 

Gettysburg. 

Bethesda  Church. 

Five  Forks. 

Mine  Run. 

Cold  Harbor. 

Appomattox. 

Wilderness. 

Petersburg. 

Spottsylvania. 

Weldon  Railroad. 

REGIMENTAL  MONUMENT  AT  GETTYSBURG. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  219 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

CAPTURE,    CONFINEMENT,    AND    ESCAPE.       BY    SAMUEL    G.    BOONE,    OF 

COMPANY    B. 

WITH  the  lapse  of  more  than  thirty  years  since  the  great  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
many  of  the  minor  details  have  faded  from  memory,  and  although  the  brave 
struggle  and  final  defeat  of  the  gallant  old  88th  on  July  I,  1863,  is  still  fresh  in  my 
memory,  I  will  confine  myself  in  this  sketch  to  the  details  of  my  capture,  march 
back  to  Dixie  under  rebel  guard,  confinement  in  rebel  prisons,  final  escape  from 
Columbia,  South  Carolina,  and  return  to  "  God's  country;"  but  in  doing  so  must 
rely  almost  wholly  upon  memory,  as  my  book  of  "  mems"  was  burned  during  the 
destruction  of  Columbia  by  fire,  February  17,  1865. 

With  the  foregoing  by  way  of  introduction,  I  will  begin  with  my  experiences  in 
our  charge  on  Iverson's  brigade  of  North  Carolina  troops  on  July  I,  1863. 

When  the  command  "  Charge  !"  came,  a  long  line  of  steel  swept  across  the  field 
in  our  front  and  into  the  very  ranks  of  the  enemy.  Previous  to  this  I  saw  white 
flags  affixed  to  bayonets  waving  in  token  of  surrender.  This  was  a  strange  sight 
to  me  and  one  that  I  had  never  seen  before,  although  I  had  participated  in  all  the 
engagements  with  the  regiment  up  to  this  time.  Under  our  withering  fire  they 
could  not  rise,  but  took  shelter  in  a  gully  or  ditch.  When  we  were  within  a  few 
paces  of  their  line  they  lay  down  their  arms,  rose,  and  held  up  their  hands.  One 
poor  fellow  came  towards  me  still  grasping  his  musket,  which  I  ordered  him  to 
drop  and  go  to  the  rear  as  fast  as  possible,  and  as  he  passed  me  I  struck  htm  on  the 
back  with  the  side  of  my  sword-blade,  which  act  I  have  often  regretted,  for  in  looking 
after  him  I  noticed  blood  trickling  down  underneath  his  canteen  ;  he  had  been  shot. 

This  was  the  23d  North  Carolina  Regiment  upon  which  the  88th  charged,  and 
their  battle-flag  fell  into  our  hands.  A  part  of  the  lance  attachment  I  had  in  my 
possession  up  to  the  destruction  of  Columbia,  South  Carolina. 

We  captured  nearly  all  the  troops  in  our  front,  and  those  whom  we  did  not 
capture  again  took  up  arms  against  us  when  from  the  Mummasburg  road  on  our  right 
flank  came  an  enfilading  fire  which  wrought  terrible  execution  among  their  troops 
as  well  as  among  ours,  and  retreat  became  a  necessity.  About  five  hundred  men, 
wounded  and  dead,  lay  strewn  all  over  the  field  as  we  retreated,  very  much  dis 
organized,  in  the  direction  of  Gettysburg,  the  only  avenue  of  escape  left  to  us. 

I  reached  Gettysburg  in  safety,  but  the  enemy  already  had  possession  of  the 
eastern  part  of  the  town.  At  one  place  a  brave  fellow  crossed  the  street  amid  a 
perfect  shower  of  bullets  from  Baltimore  Street  on  our  left,  and  thinking  this  my 
opportunity,  I  followed  before  the  rebs  had  time  to  reload  and  also  crossed  in 


220  HISTORY  OF   THE 

safety.  I  continued  my  retreat  to  the  southern  suburbs  of  the  town,  and  seeing 
our  retreating  troop*  coming  into  Baltimore  Street,  concluded  that  I  was  safe, 
and  could  have  reached  them  in  a  few  minutes  had  not  fate  decreed  otherwise. 
Turning  to  my  left  to  get  into  Baltimore  Street,  I  ran  through  a  garden  and  along 
a  house,  but  cautiously  approached  the  street,  with  the  intention  of  looking  to  my 
left  to  see  that  the  way  was  clear  before  running  out,  and  the  instant  I  put  my 
head  beyond  the  building  line  I  came  face  to  face  with  one  of  the  most  desperate 
soldiers  in  the  rebel  army, — a  Louisiana  Tiger! 

For  an  instant  both  stood  transfixed.  Neither  knew  which  was  the  victor  or 
vanquished,  but  it  required  only  a  few  seconds  to  decide,  as  he  was  evidently  pre 
pared  to  fire  into  our  retreating  troops  when  we  met,  having  his  musket  full  cocked 
and  at  a  ready.  I  had  no  side-arms  except  my  sword,  and  this  in  the  scabbard. 
Terror  was  depicted  on  his  countenance  ;  but  quick  to  notice  that  I  was  unprepared 
to  defend  myself,  he  jumped  away  far  enough  to  bring  his  piece  to  bear  on  me,  and 
quick  as  a  flash  levelled  it  at  my  breast  and  at  the  same  instant  very  excitedly  ordered, 
"  Surrender!"  and  there  being  no  other  alternative,  I  was  compelled  to  submit. 

A  group  of  my  captor's  companions  were  close  at  hand  when  I  was  ordered  to 
surrender.  Stepping  towards  my  captor  to  show  that  I  did  not  intend  to  resist,  I 
raised  my  right  hand  and  quickly,  and  no  doubt  excitedly,  said,  "  You've  got  the 
best  of  me."  He  next  ordered,  "  Give  me  that  sword."  I  had  partly  turned  to 
my  left  to  go  to  the  rear,  and  as  I  took  hold  of  my  belt-plate  to  unbuckle  it,  he 
thought  I  was  reaching  for  a  pistol,  and  became  more  excited  than  ever,  jumped 
back,  and  levelled  his  piece  at  me  again  and  asked,  "  Have  you  got  any  pistols 
about  you?"  This,  I  think,  was  the  most  critical  moment  of  my  life.  Turning 
full  face  towards  him  to  show  what  I  was  doing,  he  again  demanded,  "  Now  give 
me  that  sword,"  and,  throwing  the  sword,  belt  and  all,  on  the  pavement  against 
the  house,  I  said,  "  I  won't  give  it  to  you;  if  you  want  it,  you  must  pick  it  up." 
This  was  the  sword  used  on  one  of  their  own  men  but  a  short  time  before ;  now  I, 
in  turn,  was  ordered  to  "go  to  the  rear."  What  a  change  in  the  tide  of  battle ! 

I  did  not  value  my  life  much  among  these  wild,  unrestrained  rebels  who  were 
yelling,  "  Go  in,  Tigers !"  and  in  a  minute  after  my  capture  was  in  the  middle  of 
the  street,  when  a  Tiger  came  towards  me  and  asked,  "  What  kind  of  a  watch 
have  you  got  thar?"  and  when  I  answered  that  it  was  only  an  old  silver  watch,  he 
said,  "Oh,  keep  it,"  and  in  almost  the  same  breath  asked,  "Whose  troops  are 
them  comin'  in  out  thar?''  Our  troops  were  so  thickly  covered  with  dust  that  he 
did  not  know  them  from  theirs,  and  in  order  to  delay  his  firing,  I  told  him  they 
were  their  own;  but  doubting  the  truthfulness  of  my  answer,  with  a  terrible  curse, 
he  took  aim  and  fired.  This  was  the  first  shot  fired  at  this  point,  but  the  window- 
frame  over  the  spot  where  I  threw  my  sword  is  perforated  with  bullet-holes,  and 
the  battered  walls,  scarred  trees,  and  riddled  fences  attest  the  severity  of  the  fight 
between  our  fleeing  troops  and  the  Tigers  to  this  day. 

I  attempted  to  outflank  my  captors  at  the  first  opening  I  came  to,  and  which 
appeared  to  be  a  street  running  eastward,  but  ended  up  against  a  fence  about  fifty 


FRANK  K.  MURPHY, 

Hospital  Steward. 


PETER  D.  SHEAKEI 
Company  B. 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL    EDMUND   A.    MASS. 


JOHN  SIMMS, 
Company  F. 


CORPORAL  THOMA$  1}. 
Company  il. 


EIGHTY  EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  221 

or  one  hundred  yards  from  Baltimore  Street.  I  ran  to  this  fence  and  attempted  to 
clear  it,  but  balanced  on  the  top  rail  in  such  a  manner  that  for  a  moment  I  could 
get  neither  backward  nor  forward,  and  while  in  this  position  a  rebel  on  the  ex 
treme  right  of  a  long  line  of  skirmishers,  and  about  fifty  yards  from  me,  sang  out, 
in  clear,  slow,  measured  words,  "  Git — back — thar, — git — back,"  and  was  in  the 
act  of  taking  a  right-oblique  aim  at  me,  when  with  a  great  effort  I  succeeded  in 
falling  on  the  side  of  the  fence  from  which  I  came.  Running  back  to  Baltimore 
Street,  I  ran  into  the  main  body,  who  marched  me  to  the  rear  of  their  lines,  where, 
to  my  great  surprise,  I  met  Captain  Mass  and  Lieutenant  Grant,  of  my  company, 
Captain  Schell,  of  Company  I,  and  many  enlisted  men  of  the  88th  and  hundreds 
of  others,  but  not  one  of  whom  had  got  so  near  liberty  as  myself. 

We  were  moved  on  the  same  evening  to  a  point  on  Willoughby  Run,  now 
known  as  the  Katalysine  Spring,  where  we  remained  until  the  commencement  of 
the  retreat  on  July  4. 

Space  will  not  allow  a  description  that  would  do  justice  to  the  trials  and  fatigu 
ing  marches  of  about  4000  Union  prisoners,  in  torrents  of  rain,  for  more  than 
a  week  after  our  departure  from  Gettysburg,  goaded  on  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet;  our  departure  from  Monterey  Springs  before  breakfast  on  the  morning 
of  the  5th,  with  the  shells  from  Kilpatrick's  artillery  exploding  near  us;  our  hopes 
of  rescue,  which  continued  until  the  Potomac  lay  between  us  and  our  army, 
when  all  hopes  of  recapture  were  abandoned,  and  after  a  hard  march  of  nearly 
two  hundred  miles,  reached  Staunton,  Virginia,  on  the  i8th,  and  Richmond  by 
rail  the  same  evening,  being  escorted  to  the  infamous  Libby  Prison.  On  entering 
Libby,  seeing  the  prisoners  ahead  of  me  being  searched,  I  buried  my  watch  in  a 
loaf  of  bread,  and  the  bread  passed  inspection. 

In  the  famous  tunnel  escapade  of  February  8,  1864,  when  109  officers  "  leaked 
out,"  I  was  in  line  and  only  a  few  feet  from  the  hole  when  the  alarm  was  raised  that 
the  officials  were  coming,  and  a  rush  was  made  for  our  respective  quarters  up-stairs. 
Without  the  knowledge  of  the  prison  authorities,  a  few  of  us  passed  out  on  the 
roof  of  the  building  through  the  hatchway  one  evening  to  get  the  fresh  air.  I 
ventured  up  the  roof  to  the  flag-staff,  caught  hold  of  the  halyards,  and  looked  up  at 
the  rebel  flag,  wishing  to  capture  it  and  bring  it  safely  north,  and  while  thus  medi 
tating,  my  comrades  suddenly  darted  down  the  hole.  I  was  not  shot  at,  but  a 
guard  was  afterwards  stationed  on  the  James  River  side,  with  instructions  to  shoot 
any  one  on  the  roof. 

About  1 100  commissioned  officers  bid  adieu  to  Libby  on  May  7,  1864,  and  were 
taken  to  Danville,  Virginia,  where  we  remained  but  a  few  days,  going  from  thence 
to  Macon,  Georgia,  where  I  contracted  chills  and  fever,  and,  notwithstanding  my 
illness,  was  selected  as  one  of  600  officers,  sent  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and 
placed  in  the  jail  yard  under  fire  of  our  own  siege  batteries  around  Charleston 
Harbor.  My  affliction  began  to  tell  on  me,  and  I  asked  for  shelter,  when  I  was 
assigned  to  one  of  the  gloomiest  cells  in  the  building,  the  mouldy  stench  being 
anything  but  conducive  to  health. 


222  HISTORY  OF   THE 

Although  in  imminent  clanger  of  death,  the  booming  of  our  heavy  sea-coast 
guns  and  the  bursting  of  their  snells  among  us  was  sweet  music  to  our  ears.  The 
thought  of  once  more  being  so  near  our  lines  buoyed  up  our  drooping  spirits,  and 
cheerfulness  once  more  took  the  place  of  despondency  as  the  prospects  of  an  early 
exchange  seemed  brighter.  At  night  we  could  see  a  flash  of  light  from  the  neigh 
borhood  of  the  "swamp  angel"  against  the  horizon  far  down  the  bay,  and  then  a 
streak  of  fire  similar  to  that  of  a  meteor  ascending  towards  the  zenith  until  it 
appeared  like  a  great  comet,  coming  nearer  and  nearer,  and  when  its  force  was 
finally  spent,  would  descend  with  an  unearthly,  roaring,  hissing  sound,  sometimes 
exploding  half  a  mile  up  in  the  air  or  among  the  buildings,  setting  the  city  on  fire 
and  spreading  consternation  among  the  inhabitants  thereof. 

From  Charleston  we  were  removed  to  Camp  Sorghum,  near  Columbia,  South 
Carolina,  where  ocapes  were  more  frequent;  but  the  prisoners  were  hunted  down 
with  blood-hounds  and  almost  invariably  returned  to  camp.  One  day  a  couple  of 
the  Southern  chivalry,  equipped  with  hunters'  horns,  etc.,  returned  an  escaped 
prisoner,  when  a  brace  of  hounds,  highly  valued,  strayed  into  our  camp  and  were 
despatched  in  short  order.  Their  dead  bodies  were  found  by  a  searching  party 
hastily  buried  in  a  hole  out  of  which  we  dug  clay  to  plaster  our  huts;  but  the 
authorities  not  being  able  to  single  out  the  guilty  parties,  as  a  punishment  to  all, 
tied  the  dead  dogs  in  the  brook  outside  the  guard  line  and  above  the  point  at  which 
we  obiained  our  water  for  cooking  purposes. 

On  December  12,  1864,  we  were  removed  from  Camp  Sorghum  to  the  grounds 
of  the  State  Insane  Asylum  in  Columbia,  and  from  this  place,  on  February  17  fol 
lowing,  I  made  good  my  escape,  which  ^vas  the  happiest  day  of  my  life. 

On  February  14,  1865,  we  received  orders  to  be  in  readiness  to  move  at  five 
A.M.  next  morning,  no  one  knew  where.  Having  learned  that  Sherman  was 
coming,  before  five  A.M.  on  the  I5th  thirteen  of  us  hid  away  under  the  roof  of  a 
two-story  frame  building  used  as  a  hospital  for  our  sick,  ten  more  under  the  porch 
roof,  and  many  more  in  subterranean  hiding-places  all  over  the  grounds.  Next 
morning  all  the  prisoners  who  could  be  found  were  marched  outside  the  stockade, 
but  many  were  missing.  Search  was  made,  and  perhaps  all  were  found  except 
we  who  were  concealed  in  the  building.  A  searching  party  of  guards  was  sent 
all  over  the  grounds  to  hunt  up  the  missing,  and  fired  the  barracks  in  which  was 
the  entrance  of  an  unfinished  tunnel  and  out  of  which  they  took  fifteen  prisoners. 
Had  the  flames  communicated  with  our  building,  escape  would  have  been  impos 
sible,  as  there  was  no  outlet  through  the  roof.  The  guards  came  upstairs,  and  I 
found  a  crack  through  which  I  watched  the  enemy  below.  One  guard,  after 
thrusting  his  bayonet  into  the  heaps  of  hay  and  straw  lying  around,  came  directly 
underneath  me,  and,  looking  up,  wondered — addressing  himself  to  his  companions 
— "if  there  could  be  any  Yanks  hiding  overhead;"  at  the  same  moment  I  was 
looking  him  square  in  the  eye,  with  scarcely  four  feet  between  our  faces, — in  fact, 
could  almost  feel  his  breath, — and,  strange  to  say,  was  not  discovered. 

During  the  two  nights  of  our  concealment  quite  a  number  ventured  out  to  n.-c- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.      ^  223 

onnoitre,  and  were  shot  at  as  they  made  their  escape  over  the  stockade  wall,  whilst 
a  few  returned  with  the  information  that  the  stockade  was  still  guarded. 

After  evading  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy,  in  constant  dread  of  having  the  old 
building  fired  under  us,  and  suffering  untold  hunger  and  thirst  for  nearly  three 
days  and  two  nights  in  midwinter,  in  the  cold,  dark  loft,  the  hour  of  our  deliver 
ance  came.  About  noon  on  the  iyth  the  four  who  were  left — the  other  nine  having 
escaped  during  the  last  two  nights — were  deliberating  what  course  to  pursue  should 
our  army  be  repulsed,  for  we  had  heard  musketry,  and  shells  were  exploding  near 
us  in  the  morning,  when  suddenly  we  heard  great  cheering,  and  presumed  it  came 
from  the  rebels  and  that  our  army  had  been  repulsed.  We  had  just  decided  to 
attempt  an  escape  that  night  and  to  follow  up  the  army,  when  we  heard  heavy 
footsteps  ascending  the  stairs  and  coming  direct  to  where  we  had  sawed  the  ends 
off  several  boards, — with  an  ordinary  table-knife,  the  back  of  which  had  been  filed 
into  a  saw, — through  the  opening  of  which  we  crept  to  our  place  of  concealment, 
and  instantly  the  short  boards  which  we  had  replaced  flew  against  the  roof,  just 
grazing  my  face.  Being  nearest  the  opening,  I  looked  down,  and,  to  my  utter 
astonishment,  saw  a  soldier  in  blue  uniform  with  musket  clubbed,  looking  up,  who, 
with  a  frown,  ordered,  "  Come  down  !"  As  I  was  the  first  one  discovered,  I  acted 
as  spokesman,  and  asked,  "  Well,  tell  me,  are  you  a  Confederate  or  Union  soldier  ?" 
With  a  smile,  he  answered,  "  Why,  we  are  Billy's  boys,"  and  with  one  glad  bound 
of  joy  we  fairly  sprang  from  our  gloomy  abode  of  suffering,  from  captivity  to  lib 
erty,  and  alighted  among  our  friends,  once  more  under  the  protection  of  the 
glorious  stars  and  stripes.  Instead  of  Sherman  suffering  defeat,  the  city  had  sur 
rendered  to  him,  and  these  were  the  advance  troops,  who  were  directed  to  our 
hiding-place  by  one  of  my  companions  who  made  his  escape  over  the  stockade 
wall  the  night  before. 

Directing  my  course  towards  our  troops,  I  witnessed  the  grand  entree  of  our 
victorious  army  into  the  fallen  and  doomed  city,  for  on  that  very  night  the  city  was 
laid  in  ashes.  During  the  conflagration  a  Captain  Smith,  also  an  escaped  officer, 
and  myself  were  sitting  on  the  steps  of  a  large  building,  when  the  provost  guard 
came  along  and  the  lieutenant  in  charge  pointed  towards  us  with  his  sword,  saying, 
"  Those  two  men  in  there,"  when  we  were  put  under  arrest  on  suspicion  of  being 
rebs;  our  blue  uniforms  having  long  since  worn  out,  we  were  obliged  to  substitute 
gray,  which  gave  us  a  seedy,  rebel-like  appearance.  The  provost  marshal  being  on 
horseback  close  by,  we  requested  to  speak  to  him,  and  after  informing  him  that  we 
were  escaped  Union  officers,  he  said,  "  Lieutenant,  release  these  officers  at  once." 

On  the  1 8th,  with  many  other  escaped  prisoners,  I  reported  to  General  Sherman, 
who  provided  us  with  passes,  and  who  felt  confident  that  he  would  recapture  those 
who  had  been  removed  to  Charlotte,  North  Carolina ;  but  his  hopes  were  never 
realized,  as  they  were  soon  after  exchanged. 

Travelling  along  with  the  army,  unassigned,  and  subsisting  upon  what  I  could 
forage,  I  often  barely  escaped  violence  from  our  own  troops  on  account  of  my 
rebel-like  appearance.  Riding  along  a  body  of  infantry  one  day  on  a  horse  that  I 


224  HISTORY  OF   THE 

had  got  out  of  a  corral,  a  man  shouted, "  Shoot  the  rebel !"  I  wheeled  around,  rode 
up  to  him,  told  him  who  I  was,  and  before  we  parted  had  his  coat  on  my  back,  not 
because  he  thought  he  had  the  best  of  the  trade,  but  because  of  his  kindly  feelings 
and  sympathy  for  me.  This,  I  think,  was  about  the  last  time  I  was  called  a  rebel. 

Upon  another  occasion,  while  riding  along  unarmed  in  advance  of  the  army, 
with  foragers, — Sherman's  "  Bummers," — after  crossing  a  creek  swollen  by  the 
recent  rains,  we  were  turned  upon  by  the  rear-guard  of  the  rebel  army  and  driven 
back,  with  the  loss  of  several  wounded.  I  left  my  horse  and  took  to  the  thickets 
in  the  swamp,  knowing  that  cavalry  could  not  pursue  me.  The  advance  of  our 
army  now  made  its  appearance  on  the  opposite  bank,  hastily  constructed  a  trestle, 
pushed  forward  a  section  of  artillery,  sent  over  a  detachment  of  infantry,  and 
advanced  in  line  of  battle,  and,  strange  to  say,  recovered  my  horse  after  the  line  had 
advanced  beyond  the  point  where  I  left  him.  This  was  the  last  hostile  affair  of 
the  Rebellion  in  which  I  was  an  actor. 

We  reached  Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  on  March  II,  and  during  that  night  I 
had  my  horse  stolen  while  lying  asleep  in  front  of  him  ;  the  knot  of  the  hitching 
strap  was  still  fast  to  the  scrub  oak  to  which  I  had  tied  him,  the  thief  having  cut 
the  strap  to  save  time.  Fortunately,  I  needed  no  horse  on  the  morrow,  as  I 
obtained  passage  on  the  steam-tug  Davidson  next  day,  which  left  Fayetteville  for 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  with  detailed  information  of  Sherman's  movements. 
Nothing  occurred  during  the  passage,  except  a  night  alarm  at  a  very  narrow  point 
of  the  river, — Cape  Fear, — at  which  place  we  were  challenged  by  a  body  of  Federal 
cavalry  pickets,  and,  from  the  excited  manner  of  the  challenging  party,  I  feared 
we  would  receive  a  volley  from  the  land  forces. 

At  Wilmington  I  took  passage  on  an  old  vessel  named  J.  S.  Green,  and  after  a 
perilous  voyage  arrived  safely  at  Fortress  Monroe,  thence  to  Baltimore  and  to 
Washington,  where  I  was  recorded  as  an  escaped  prisoner  of  war,  and  after  some 
trouble  in  having  my  name  taken  up  on  the  rolls  of  my  regiment,  from  which  I 
had  been  dropped,  probably  because  I  was  not  present  at  the  expiration  of  my 
three  years'  service  to  be  mustered  as  a  veteran,  I  received  an  order  to  join  my 
regiment,  with  permission  to  delay  thirty  days. 

I  returned  home  after  an  absence  of  nearly  three  and  a  half  years,  languishing 
nearly  half  that  time  in  loathsome  rebel  prisons,  but  only  to  recruit  my  health. 
Being  far  from  well,  I  returned  to  Washington  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  my  regi 
ment,  then  on  its  way  with  the  army  to  Washington,  and  upon  joining  it  was 
informed  that  the  war  was  ended,  and  I  was  mustered  out  May  16,  1865,  having 
served  over  eight  months  longer  than  my  term  of  three  years, — nearly  four  in  all, 
including  my  term  of  three  months'  service. 

Weary  and  tired  of  the  clash  and  clang  of  arms,  I  longed  for  retirement  to  the 
peaceful  pursuits  of  life  and  the  bosom  of  friends,  hoping  nevermore  to  be  called 
upon  to  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  our  glorious  banner,  under  whose  folds  the 
oppressed  of  the  earth  may  find  refuge  and  protection  so  long  as  it  is  honored  and 
respected. 


LIEUTENANT  JONATHAN  E.  ROGERS. 


CORPORAL  JAMES  W.  COLEN. 


LIEUTENANT  HARRY  HUDSON. 

(Killed  August  18,  1862.) 


SERGEANT  JOHN  B.  DONAHOE.  SAMUEL  BINNS. 

COMPANY   C. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  225 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

ECHOES    FROM    THE    BATTLE  FIELD. 

EXTRACTS    FROM    LETTERS    WRITTEN    BY    CHARLES    MCKNIGHT,    OF 
COMPANY    K. 

CAMP  NEAR  THE  CHICKAHOMINY,  June  8,  1864. 

FRIEND  STEPHEN  STEVENS, — I  promised  to  write  you  an  account  of  the  first 
battle  of  this  campaign,  but  had  no  idea  it  would  be  so  long  a  one.  .  .  .  Our 
regiment  broke  camp  on  the  night  of  May  3  ;  on  wagon-guard  to  the  Rapidan, 
which  we  crossed  on  the  5th  and  marched  to  the  front. 

We  joined  our  brigade  on  the  Wilderness  battle-field,  just  as  it  came  out  of  the 
fight.  We  had  no  severe  fighting  there,  but  kept  our  hands  in  in  building  breast 
works.  On  the  night  of  the  yth  we  marched  for  Spottsylvania  Court-House,  our 
brigade  on  the  advance.  We  marched  all  night,  and  about  four  o'clock  Sunday 
morning  (8th)  found  the  enemy.  We  deployed  in  line  and  charged  over  an  open 
field,  the  rebs  being  posted  in  the  woods  beyond  with  a  battery  and  mounted  in 
fantry.  We  gave  a  yell  and  charged  on  the  double-quick,  and  after  a  half-hour's 
fight  the  rebs  gave  way.  Followed  them  about  two  miles,  when  we  found  them 
in  force  behind  breastworks. 

We  now  had  something  to  do,  our  whole  division  being  brought  up,  our  brigade 
in  the  front  and  the  other  two  in  the  second  line.  We  charged  across  an  open 
field  under  a  heavy  musketry  and  artillery  fire  and  got  within  twenty  yards  of  their 
works,  when  they  opened  on  us  a  flank  fire  which  drove  both  wings  back,  leaving 
the  centre  exposed, — our  regiment  being  in  the  centre, — and  drove  us  into  a  road 
which  ran  to  the  rear.  We  fell  back  to  the  woods  where  we  had  formed  for  the 
charge,  but  the  rebs  had  us  started  and,  pressing  hard,  drove  us  about  a  mile  and  a 
half,  when  the  3d  Division — the  Pennsylvania  Reserves — came  to  our  relief  and 
drove  them  all  the  way  back  to  their  works,  the  battle  continuing  long  after  dark. 
Our  regiment  lost  about  fifty  men.  It  was  a  hard  Sunday  on  us,  and  General 
Robinson  was  wounded  while  leading  a  charge. 

On  the  Qth  we  were  attached  to  Crawford's  .division,  and  on  the  loth  charged 
the  works  in  the  woods  in  our  front.  We  went  in  about  ten  o'clock,  and  when 
we  got  within  sight  of  their  works  we  saw  it  was  no  use  to  charge  them,  for  even 
jf  no  rebs  were  behind  them  we  could  hardly  have  climbed  over,  so  we  did  not 
charge,  while  the  staff  officers  who  did  not  have  to  charge  ordered  us  on;  but  we 
are  old  soldiers ;  if  we  had  been  recruits  we  would  have  gone  in  and  got  whipped. 

15 


226  HISTORY  OF  THE 

We  halted  there  about  five  hours,  then  two  brigades  of  the  2d  Corps  came  to 
charge  these  works  and  we  were  to  follow ;  but  they  did  worse  than  we,  for  when 
they  saw  the  works  they  broke  and  fell  back.  Then  we  fell  back  after  being  in 
seven  hours  and  losing  forty  men.  On  the  nth  we  were  quiet,  but  on  the  I2th 
were  ordered  into  the  woods  again.  We  went  in,  but  it  was  the  same  as  before  ; 
did  not  charge,  but  lost  fifteen  men.  I  had  the  colors,  and  was  hit  in  the  head 
by  a  grape-shot  while  lying  on  my  face,  but  it  only  stunned  me.  After  the  I2th 
we  had  only  skirmishing  and  picket  firing  until  the  23d,  when  we  crossed  the 
North  Anna  River,  and  after  our  corps  was  all  over  the  rebs  tried  to  drive  us  into 
the  river.  I  tell  you  the  shells  flew  thick  and  fast,  but  it  was  no  use,  and  when 
they  found  that  we  would  not  fall  back  they  gave  it  up. 

On  the  22d  the  brigade  was  on  a  scout,  our  regiment  being  out  as  flankers,  until 
we  reached  the  Richmond  telegraph  road,  where  we  concealed  ourselves  to  see 
who  would  pass,  as  we  were  in  the  rear  of  the  rebel  army.  I  was  near  the  road, 
behind  a  tree,  when  I  heard  horses  coming  up  the  road,  and  soon  a  fine-looking 
man,  unarmed,  on  a  good  horse,  came  in  sight.  He  appeared  to  be  an  officer, 
and  did  not  see  us,  but  seemed  suspicious,  for  when  he  got  within  twenty-five 
yards  he  stood  up  in  his  stirrups  and  looked  around,  when  I  jumped  up  without 
much  noise,  but  he  saw  me.  I  called  "  Halt !"  and  I  thought  he  was  about  to 
dismount,  but,  turning,  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed  down  the  road,  when 
I  let  go,  not  intending  to  hit  him,  and  as  I  fired  about  twenty-five  of  our  men  let 
fly  at  him ;  but  it  is  not  easy  to  shoot  a  bird  on  the  wing,  and  after  he  got  down 
the  road  we  could  hear  the  rattle  of  horses'  feet  as  his  men  joined  him  in  the 
flight.  We  all  broke  into  a  laugh  ;  but  we  were  too  sure  of  our  game,  hence  all 
missed  him. 

On  the  24th  we  were  on  picket,  and  on  the  25th  had  a  hot  time  on  the  skirmish 
line,  losing  three  men.  On  the  3Oth  had  three  hours'  fighting  on  the  skirmish 
line,  losing  five  men,  and  have  been  under  fire  every  day  except  yesterday  and 
to-day,  losing  one  man  on  the  3d  of  June.  We  are  now  in  camp,  but  our  stay  is 
uncertain,  the  lines  being  within  300  yards  of  each  other. 

Many  men  whose  time  has  expired  are  going  home.  The  g\h  New  York  left 
the  brigade  last  night;  it  only  took  about  fifty  men  away  out  of  1 200  it  once 
mustered.  A  regiment  of  colored  troops  has  just  passed ;  they  looked  well  and 
seem  to  make  good  soldiers.  Last  night  one  company  passed,  and  it  being  as 
large  as  our  regiment,  some  one  asked  where  their  colors  were.  "Oh,  ho!"  said 
one  of  the  blacks,  "  I  thought  dar  was  color  enough  along."  .  .  .  On  the  5th  of 
May  we  had  twenty-one  privates  for  duty  in  our  company,  now  we  have  ten, 
besides  one  sergeant  and  one  corporal  wounded ;  half  our  men  gone  in  one 
month.  .  .  . 

CAMP  NEAR  PETERSBURG,  VA.,  July  29,  1864. 

.  .  .  We  have  fought  seventeen  battles  since  this  campaign  began,  on  May  5, 
1864.  .  .  .  All  night  of  June  17  we  pressed  the  rebels  back,  and  at  daylight  had 
taken  two  lines  of  works.  Then  we  advanced  through  a  woods  into  a  wheat- 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  227 

field,  when  they  opened  on  us  with  artillery  and  made  us  hug  the  ground  until 
the  word  came,  "  Forward!"  when  we  went  across  a  field  and  into  an  orchard, 
where  the  Minie-balls  whistled  around  us,  but  we  had  to  take  it  all  in  fun.  We 
were  then  ordered  to  the  railroad  cut,  and  away  we  went  on  a  run,  the  rebs  dosing 
us  with  canister  and  musket-balls,  but  nothing  could  stop  us. 

We  formed  on  the  railroad,  and  presently  were  ordered  forward  again,  over 
two  fields,  across  two  ditches,  to  the  slope  of  a  hill  about  200  yards  from  the  reb 
works ;  so  again  we  started,  every  man  for  himself,  and  by  the  time  they  had  fired 
three  rounds  of  canister  I  was  safe  under  the  hill.  I  tell  you  a  man  can  run  when 
it's  for  a  place  of  safety. 

We  were  in  a  thick  woods,  and  I  lay  down  to  cool  off,  lying  here  a  couple  of 
hours,  when  we  were  ordered  to  walk  right  over  the  enemy's  works,  a  thing  easier 
said  than  done.  Well,  we  fixed  bayonets  and  charged  out  of  the  woods  with  a 
yell,  but  after  going  about  fifty  yards,  I  looked  around  and  could  only  see  our 
regiment  in  the  opening,  and  in  about  a  minute  I  did  not  see  one  of  our  men 
standing,  the  field  was  covered  with  them,  and  all  who  were  not  down  were  run 
ning  back  to  the  woods,  and  as  I  knew  it  was  useless  to  remain  there,  I  turned 
and  ran  into  the  woods  also,  where  I  found  nearly  all  our  officers  and  many  of  our 
men,  besides  all  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  their  commanders  calling  to  them  to  go 
to  the  support  of  the  88th,  but  it  was  no  use. 

I  felt  ashamed  of  myself,  and  getting  up,  asked  who  would  go  out.  A  man  of 
my  company  and  myself  went  and  saw  the  colors  with  about  eight  or  ten  men  out 
near  the  rebel  works,  and  amidst  a  shower  of  balls  we  safely  reached  them.  We 
were  now  under  the  shelter  of  a  hill  where  the  enemy's  artillery  could  not  reach 
us,  and  only  seventy-five  yards  from  their  works.  We  called  to  the  rest  of  the 
boys  who  were  back  that  we  were  safe,  and  they  came  out  one  at  a  time,  until  we  had 
fifty  men.  The  Johnnies  tried  to  load  their  cannon,  but  every  man  who  was 
plucky  enough  to  try  it  was  shot.  One  gun  had  a  swab  in  it,  and  there  it  remained 
until  we  left  the  place.  We  had  only  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded  while 
there,  but  lost  about  twenty-five  in  getting  there.  While  in  that  position  we  fired 
250  rounds  to  a  man.  Our  brigade  had  given  us  up  for  lost,  until  we  went 
back  on  the  igth.  .  .  . 

CAMP  NEAR  WELDON  R.  R.,  September  4,  1864. 

.  .  .  On  the  1 8th  of  August  we  marched  to  this  place,  called  Yellow  Tavern. 
The  1st  Division  was  destroying  the  railroad,  and  we  deployed  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  the  2d  Division  on  our  left,  and  advanced  into  the  woods  in  line  of  battle 
by  battalions  in  mass.  After  going  about  half  a  mile  the  2d  Division  became 
engaged,  and  the  brigade  on  our  left  came  back,  the  men  saying  that  they  had  run 
into  a  trap  and  were  surrounded.  The  woods  were  so  dense  that  a  person  could 
not  see  more  than  twenty  yards,  and  everything  was  mixed  up.  For  my  part,  I 
was  disgusted  with  the  way  things  were;  there  were  about  2000  men,  with 
nobody  to  direct  them,  moving  about  in  the  woods,  expecting  an  attack  every 
minute,  the  bullets  even  then  flying  around  us ;  but  at  last  Crawford  sent  for  our 


228      PI  I  STORY  OF   THE   EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

regiment  to  support  the  pickets  on  the  right.  So  after  running  around  in  the  wet 
and  mud  two  hours,  we  were  put  on  the  skirmish  line,  remaining  there  until  the 
morning  of  the  iQth. 

Upon  rejoining  our  brigade  we  found  the  men  building  breastworks,  and  taking 
our  place  in  line,  we  took  a  hand  at  the  same  work ;  but  some  one  found  that  they 
were  not  in  the  right  place,  so  we  moved  and  fooled  around  for  two  hours,  and 
got  to  work  again,  but  before  they  were  finished  the  rebels  charged  our  left  and 
right,  gobbling  our  thin  line  on  the  right,  and,  bursting  through,  came  on  yelling 
like  demons,  while  at  the  same  time  they  charged  our  left,  carrying  the  works  and 
forcing  all  the  1st  Brigade  down  on  our  line.  There  was  no  firing  on  our  regi 
mental  front  just  then,  but  the  enemy  swooped  down  the  works  to  our  right  and 
left,  capturing  lots  of  the  men  and  placing  us  in  a  most  uncomfortable  and  bewil 
dering  position.  A  line  forming  in  our  rear  gave  us  a  volley,  causing  us  to  jump 
on  the  other  side  of  our  breastworks ;  but  the  rebs  were  as  much  perplexed  as  we 
were,  some  of  them  coming  into  our  line,  thinking  they  were  going  to  their  rear. 
Our  men  and  theirs  were  so  mixed  up  in  the  woods  that  we  dare  not  fire,  and  I 
suppose  the  rebs  did  not  fire  for  the  same  reason  ;  but  our  battery  let  fly  a  dose  of 
shot  and  shell  right  into  us,  thinking  there  were  none  but  Johnnies  in  the  woods. 
Oh,  it  was  a  pretty  kettle  of  fish ;  but  Colonel  Wheelock,  our  brigadier,  called  to 
fix  bayonets  and  follow  him.  He  said  as  soon  as  he  gave  the  word  to  fire  and 
charge,  and  we  went  out  on  the  double-quick,  our  cannon  raking  our  line,  but  we 
could  not  stop.  When  we  reached  the  opening  a  Union  line  of  battle  was  ready 
to  fire  on  us,  but  we  rushed  out  and  shook  "  Old  Glory"  at  them,  and  the  next 
minute  we  were  safe  again.  We  rejoined  our  brigade  and  soon  charged  into  the 
woods,  recapturing  all  our  works  and  resting  there  all  night.  This  happened  on 
Friday,  August  19,  and  our  regimental  commander,  Captain  Houder,  was  killed, 
four  wounded,  and  about  twenty-five  missing. 

On  Sunday,  the  2ist,  the  rebs  charged  our  works,  but  were  repulsed  with  awful 
slaughter.  Taking  it  all  in  all,  I  think  the  Dixieites  will  not  own  this  railroad 
very  soon  ;  that  Grant  has  a  mortgage  on  it  which  must  be  satisfied  before  he  will 
surrender  it.  Excuse  my  writing ;  it  is  tiresome  to  write  on  a  board,  holding  it 
on  my  knee. 

Your  brother  in  Christ, 

CHARLIE  McKN'iGHT. 


Oh,  whether  we  live  or  whether  we  fall 

By  sabre-cut  or  by  rifle-ball, 

The  hearts  of  the  free  can  never  forget, 

My  country,  my  country  will  remember  us  yet. 


ROSTKR 

OF   THE 

88iH  PENNSYLVANIA  VOLUNTEERS, 

AUGUST  9,  1861,  TO  JUNE  30,  1865. 


THIS  record  of  personal  service  has  been  carefully  prepared,  so 
that  every  member  of  the  regiment  may  here  have  an  accurate  out 
line  of  his  service.  So  far  as  possible,  the  dates  are  from  the  indi 
vidual  discharge  papers;  in  other  cases,  from  Bates's  "History"  and 
from  company  registers. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1864  a  number  of  conscripts  and  substitutes 
were  assigned  to  the  regiment,  most  of  them  remaining  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  and  proving  good  soldiers.  They  are  not  placed  with 
the  volunteers,  but  follow  immediately  below.  After  the  surrender, 
while  the  regiment  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Petersburg,  marching 
towards  home,  another  large  body  of  conscripts  was  received  and 
assigned  to  the  various  companies.  The  names  of  these  men  are 
given ;  but,  as  the  war  was  over,  it  is  not  considered  that  they  had 
any  share  in  making  the  glorious  and  honored  record  of  the  regi 
ment,  consequently  their  names  bring  up  the  rear. 

A  number  of  abbreviations  are  necessarily  used  in  the  record,  the 
most  important  being  as  follows:  Brig. -Gen.  for  Brigadier-General, 
Col.  for  Colonel,  Lt.-Col.  for  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Maj.  for  Major, 
Capt.  for  Captain,  Lt.  for  Lieutenant,  Sgt.  for  Sergeant,  Corp.  for 
Corporal,  m.  o.  for  mustered  out,  V.  R.  Corps  for  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  exp.  of  term  for  expiration  of  term  of  service,  not  must,  for 
not  mustered,  Cem.  for  Cemetery,  Hosp.  for  Hospital,  and  disch. 
for  discharged. 

229 


230 


ROSTER    OF   THE 

Field  and  Staff. 


Rank. 


Colonels. 

George  P.  McLean. 

George  W.  Gile. 


Louis  Wagner. 


Lieutenant-Colonels. 

Joseph  A.  McLean. 
Edmund  A.  Mass. 


Majors. 

David  A.  Griffith. 


J.  S.  Steeple. 
Benezet  F.  Foust. 

Aaron  Bright,  Jr. 

Adjutants. 

Cyrus  S.  Detre. 

Charles  H.  Kartsher. 
Isaiah  Mclntire. 


Mustered  In. 


Record. 


Oct.  3,  '61  Acting  Military  Governor  of  Alexan 
dria,  Dec.,  '61,  and  Jan.,  '62;  re 
signed  Dec.  I,  '62. 

Sep.  18, '61  i  From  Maj.  to  Lt.-Col.,  Sep.  i,  '62; 
Col.,  Jan.  24,  '63;  disch.  Mar.  2,  '63, 
for  wounds  rec'd  at  Antietam  ;  Brevet 
Brig.-Gen.,  May  6,  '65. 

Aug.  n,  '6 1  |  From  Capt.  Co.  D  to  Lt.-Col.,  Dec.  i, 
'62;  Col.,  Mar.  3,  '63;  in  command 
Camp  \Vm.  Penn,  Philadelphia, 
1864-65;  wounded  in  right  leg  and 
prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  '62 ; 
Brevet  Brig.-Gen.,  Mar.  13,  '65; 
disch.  June  6,  '65. 

Sep.    16,  '61     Killed  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Sep.  12,  '6l  From  Capt.  Co.  B,  June  1 6,  '65 ; 
wounded  and  captured  at  Gettysburg, 
July  i,  '63;  prisoner  until  Mar.,  '64; 
m.  o.  with  Reg. 

Sep.  14,  '61  '  From  Capt.  Co.  H,Sep.  i,'62;  wounded 
by  shell  at  Rappahannock,  Aug.  23, 
'62;  resigned  Dec.  31,  '62. 

Sep.  10,  '61  From  Capt.  Co.  C.,Feb.  17/64;  disch. 
June  15,  '64,  for  wounds  rec'd  at  An 
tietam. 

Sep.  10, '61  From  Adj.  to  Capt.  Co.  A;  to  Maj., 
Dec.  31,  '62;  wounded  at  Gettys 
burg,  July  i,  '63;  to  V.  R.  Corps,  as 
Lt.-Col.,  Nov.  6,  '63;  Brevet  Brig.- 
Gen.,  Mar.  13,  '65. 

Sep.  13,  '61  From  Capt.  Co.  G,  June  6,  '65;  disch. 
July  10,  '65. 

Oct.  i,'6i  From  ist  Sgt.  Co.  K,  Dec.  4,  '62; 
disch.  Dec.  4,  '64,  in  field  near  Peters 
burg,  exp.  of  term. 

Aug.  31,  '61  From  Sgt.  Co.  D,  Nov.  24,  '62;  not 
must. ;  killed  at  Fredericksburg,  Dec. 
13,  '62. 

Feb.  23,  '64  From  Priv.  Co.  E  to  Sgt.-Maj.,  Nov.  I, 
'64;  Adj.,  June  26, '65 ;  wounded  at 
Spottsylvania,  May  12,  '64;  m.  o. 
with  Reg. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


231 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Quartermasters. 

Daniel  U.  Jones. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

To  Assistant  Quartermaster  U.  S.  Vols., 

July  17,  '62. 

Albert  C.  Wester. 

Sep.      2,  '6  i 

From  Quartermaster  Sgt.,  Oct.  14,  '62; 

absent  on  detached  service  at  m.  o. 

Surgeons. 

J.  H.  Seltzer. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Resigned  July  22,  '62. 

G.  H.  Mitchell. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

From  Assistant  Surgeon,  Aug.  15,  '62; 

disch.  Nov.  24,  '62. 

John  W.  Rawlins. 

July    15/62 

From  Assistant  Surgeon    n6th    P.  V., 

Feb.  3,  '63;    m.  o.  with  Reg.,  June 

30,  '65. 

David  Kennedy. 

AssioTicd  tcniporciril  v  to  the  Ret?     '62 

Assistant  Surgeons. 

Jos.  H.  Hayes. 
Jos.  T.  Shoemaker. 

Aug.    4,  '62 
Aug.  20,  '62 

To  Surgeon  poth  P.  V.,  Dec.  28,  63. 
To  Surgeon  56th  P.  V.,  Mar.  25,  '65. 

M.  B.  McAlear. 

Apr.  22,  '65 

M.  o.  with  Reg.,  June  30,  '65. 

Chaplain. 

Rev.  Chas.  W.  Clothier. 

Oct.      3,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  3,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Sergeant-Majors. 

John  J.  Levi. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

From  Priv.  Co.  D;  disch.  Dec.  22,  '62. 

Samuel  G   Boone. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1 

To  2d  Lt.  Co.  B,  Mar.  i,  '63. 

Geo.  M.  Donnelly. 

Sep.  '24,  '6  i 

To  ist  Lt.  Co.  D,  Mar.  7,  '65. 

Richard  L.  Street. 

Sep.      5,  '61 

To  Co.  F,  Nov.  I,  '64. 

Sergeants. 

Elias  D.  Kerst. 

Aug.  30/61 

From  Corp.  Co.  H,  Feb.  28,  '65  ;  m.  o. 

with  Reg. 

John  Perry. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Transf.  to  V.  R.  Corps. 

Harry  O'Neil. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.  Co.  I,  Jan.  2,  '65. 

Commissary 

Sergeants. 

Jacob  S.  Kram. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

From  Priv.  Co.  E,  Oct.  4,  '61,  to  2d  Lt. 

Co.  A,  Jan.  i,  '63. 

Geo.  T.  Donaldson. 

Oct.    22,  '61 

From  Corp.  Co.  E;  m.  o.  with  Reg. 

Hospital  Steward. 

Francis  K.  Murphy.            j  Oct.    21,  '61 

From  Priv.  Co.  E;  m.  o.  with  Reg. 

Principal  Musicians,  i 

Jno.  F.  Keller. 

Jan.      I,  '62 

From   musician    Co.  I,    Feb.   28,  '65  ; 

m.  o.  with  Reg. 

Albert  F.  Hardy. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

From   musician    Co.  D,  May  30,  '65; 

m.  o.  with  Reg. 

William  Sands. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

To  ist  Sgt.  Co.  G,  Jan.  31,  '65. 

232 


KOSTEK    OF   THE 
Regimental  Band. 


Mustered  IB. 

Leader. 

E.  Ermentrout.                      Aug.  30,  '61 

•••tefaun. 

Byerly,  Blasius.                      Aug.  30,  '61 
Boyden,  Wm.  A.                    Sep.    13,  '61 
Breedy,  Jno.                            Aug.  30,  '61 
Clay,  Jos.  J.                             Aug.  30.  '6l 
Eben,  Wm.  C.                        Aug.  30,  '61  ! 
Gehart,  Aug.                           Aug.  30,  '6l  | 
Hill,  Jas.  Y.                            Sep.   20,  '61 
Hoch"  Albert.                         Aug.  30,  '61 
Hoch,  Thos.                           Aug.  30,  '61 
Krug,  Casper.                         Aug.  30,  '61 
Miller,  Christ.                         Aug.  30,  '61 
Moser,  Julius.                          Aug.  30,  '61 
Rinehart,  J.  B.                        Sep.    20,  '61 
Robinson,  J.  R.                      Aug.  30,  '61 
Snyder,  J.  B.                           Aug.  30,  '61 
Sanders,  Jas.  D.                     Aug.  30,  '61 
Sehl,  Stephen.                         Aug.  30,  '61 
Turner,  S.  W.                         Aug.  30,  '61 
Warner,  ].  S.                          Aug.  30,  '61 
Windbigler,  C.  B.                  Aug.  30,  '61 

^  Discharged  bv  General  Orders,  June 
21,  1862. 

Company  A,  Recruited  in  Berks  County. 

Rank.                           Mu»tered  In.                                         Record. 

Captains. 

Geo.  W.  Knabb.                     Aug.  23,  '61     Resigned  on  account  of  paralysis,  July 
28,  '62. 
B.  F.  Foust.                           Sep.   10,  '61     From   Adj.,  Nov.  28,   1862,  to    Maj., 
Dec.  31,  '62. 
Henry  Whitesides.                 Aug.  23,  '61     From  Sgt.  to  ist  Lt.,  Nov.  23,  '62;  Capt., 

disch.  Sep.  I,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Thos.  J.  Koch.  Aug.  23,  '61  From  Sgt.  to  1st.  Lt.,  Nov.  24,  '64 ; 

Capt.,  Jan.  6,  '65  ;  wounded  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  May  12,  '64;  killed  at  Five 
Forks,  April  I,  '65. 

Jacob  D.  Ninesteel.  Aug.  23,  '61  From  Sgt.,  Co.  E,  to  2d  Lt.,  Dec.  22, 

'62;  1st  Lt.,  Mar.  16,  '63;  Capt., 
Oct.  4,  '64 ;  not  must. ;  wounded 
at  Fredericksburg  and  Gettysburg; 
disch.  Dec.  3,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


233 


Rank. 


Mustered  In. 


Record. 


Captains. 
Daniel  W.  Ney. 


First  Lieutenants. 

Fred.  R.  Fritz. 
Jacob  S.  Kram. 

Geo.  H.  Reiff. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Albert  H.  Seyfert. 
Jos.  H.  Kline. 

Sergeants. 

George  Shirey. 


Jacob  P.  Becker. 


And.  J.  Schreffler. 
Geo.  Beaumont. 


Jno.  S.  Kennedy. 
Thos.  Kinsley. 
Gabriel  Hill. 

Joseph  Hoch. 
Conrad  Strahle. 
David  Whitaker. 


Corporals. 

John  Whitaker. 
Wm.  Heller. 

Russel  Miller. 
Emerson  Kline. 


Aug.  23,  '61  j  From  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt.,  Mar.  17,  '65; 
Capt.,  June  14,  '65;  not  must.; 
wounded  at  Chancellorsville,  May  4, 
'63;  Gettysburg,  July  4,  '63;  and  at 
Five  Forks,  April  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  witli  Co. 

Aug.  29,  '61  |  Resigned  Nov.  23,  1862. 

Aug.  23,  '61  !  From  Com.  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  Jan.  I,  '63; 

1st  Lt.  Oct.  4,  '64;  not  must.;  disch. 

Nov.  22,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 
Aug.  31,  '61  i  From  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt.,  June  14,  '65;  not 

must.;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Aug.  23,  '6l  |  Resigned  Oct.  9,  '62. 
Aug.  23,  '61  i  From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  June  14,  '65;  not 
must. ;  disch.  July  IO,  '65. 

Aug.  23,  '61  j  To  1st  Sgt.,  July  22,  '62 ;  captured  at 
Gettysburg;  disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp. 
of  term. 

Aug.  23,  '6l  To  1st  Sgt.,  May  I,  '65  ;  prisoner  from 
May  24  to  Nov.  24,  '64;  wounded  at 
Gettysburg;  disch.  June  12,  '65. 

Aug.  23,  '6l     To  Sgt.,  June  I,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Aug.  23,  '61     To  Sgt.,  June  I,  '65  ;  wounded  at  Fred- 
ericksburg,    Gettysburg,    and     Laurel 
Hill;  m.  o.  with  Co. 
From  Priv.  to  Sgt. ;  disch.  May  10,  '62. 


Aug.  23,  '61 
Aug.  23,  '61 
Aug.  23,  '61 

Sep.  10,  '61 
Aug.  23,  '61 
Aug.  23,  '61 


Henry  Drum. 


From  Priv.  to  Sgt. ;  disch.  Dec.  17,  '62. 
To  Sgt.,  Mar.   I,  '63;  disch.  Aug.  23, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 
To  Sgt.,  May  I,  '65  ;  prisoner  from  Aug. 

19  to  Dec.  3,  '64;  disch.  June  12,  '65. 
Wounded  at  Antietam ;  transf.  to  V.  R. 

Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 
Captured  at  Gettysburg;  died  April  20, 

'65,  of  wounds  rec'd  at  Five  Forks; 

buried  in  Nat.  Cem.,  Arlington,  grave 

10,482. 

Aug.  23,  '61     From  Priv.  to  Corp. ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 
Aug.  23,  '61     To  Corp.  June  15, '65;  wounded  at  Spott- 

sylvania,  May  12,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 
Aug.  23,  '61  From  Priv.  to  Corp. ;  disch.  June  2 1, '64. 
Aug.  23,  '6 1  Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run; 

disch.  June  9,  '63. 
Feb.  22,  '64  '  To  Corp.,  June  15,  '65  ;    wounded  at 

White  Oak  Swamp,  June  13,  '64;  m.  o. 

with  Co. 


234 


FOSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

David  Davis. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

From   Priv., 
10,  '65. 

Dec.   I,  '64; 

disch.  June 

Wm.  P.  Fisher. 
Jeremiah  Boyer. 
J.  Wesley  Hoffman. 
Chas.  Matthews. 


Aug.  23, '61     From   Priv.,  June    I,   '65;    prisoner  at 

Gettysburg,  and  from  Aug.  19  to  Dec. 

17,  '64;  disch.  June  12,  '65. 
Aug.  23,  '6l     Died  Oct.   13,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Antietam ;  buried  in  Military  Asylum 

Cem.,  Washington. 
Aug.  23,  '61     Captured   at   Gettysburg;    wounded  at 

Laurel    Hill,  May  8,  '64;    killed  by 

falling  tree,  Sep.  5,  '64. 
Feb.  24,  '64    To  Corp.,  June  15,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 


Isaac  Madison. 

Feb.   28.  '64 

From  Priv.,  May  20,  '65  ;  prisoner  from 

May  24  to  Nov.  20,  '64;  disch.  June 

12,  '65. 

M  llsiri;i  us. 

Wm.  L.  Hawk. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  wounded  June 

27,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jno.  F.  Nagle. 

Aug.  22,  '61 

Disch.  July  I,  '62. 

Manoah  Metz. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam,  also  on  June  24, 

'64;  disch.  May  28,  '65. 

Privates. 

Arnold,  Henry.                       Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  prisoner  from 

Aug.  19,  '64,  to  March  I,  '65  ;  disch. 

June  21,  '65. 

Arrington,  F. 

Dec.     6,  '61 

Deserted  April  II,  '62. 

Adams,  G. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  June  18,  '63. 

Buckley,  F. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

Disch.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  Sep.  5, 

'61. 

Bishop,  Henry. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  April  I,  '63,  for  wounds  rec'd  at 

Fredericksburg 

Bechtel,  Aaron. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Beaumont,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  I,  '63;  bur 

ied  in  Nat.  Cem.,  Gettysburg,  grave 

Beaumont,  Jno. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

73- 
Captured   at   Gettysburg,  July    I,   '63; 

killed    at    Petersburg,  June    18,  '64; 

buried  in  Poplar  Grove  Cem.,  grave 

27- 

Becker,  Chas. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  May  I,  '63. 

Cresswell,  I.  C. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  June  20,  '62. 

Clouser,  Danl. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Clingman,  Geo.  W. 

Mar.    4,  '64 

Disch.  for  wounds  rec'd  at  Laurel  Hill, 

May  8,  '64. 

Dautrich,  Alfred. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

to  Co.  H,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Dautrich,  Mayberry. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettvsburg;  to  Co.  H,  Feb. 

6,  '64. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


235 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Drexel,  R. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Co.  H,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Dell,  M. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  June  18,  '62. 

Eppinger,  Jno. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Nov.  17,  '61. 

Eyrich,  Isaac. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Captured  Aug.   19,  '64;  died  at  Salis 

bury,  Feb.  8,  '65. 

Fagan,  Jas. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Prisoner  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Aug.  23, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Fisher,  Amos. 

Feb.  22,  '64 

Killed  at  Spottsylvania,  May  IO,  '64. 

Fox,  H.  T. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Deserted  Dec.  13,  '63. 

Grim,  Jno.  A. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Disch.  Dec.  27,  '62. 

Hoffman,  Ross. 

Feb.  24,  '64    Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64; 

absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Howard,  David. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Absent  sick  at  m.  o. 

Hagan,  Barnet. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run; 

disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Haberacker,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  24,  '62. 

Haywood,  Henry. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Himmelright,  Henry. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hagan,  Daniel. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  3,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hoffman,  Geo.  W. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  IO,  '64; 

disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hughston,  Mel. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64; 

disch.  Nov.  21,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hughes,  J.  J. 

Feb.   24,  '64 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64; 

disch.  June  14,  '65. 

Henninger,  Jno.  H. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Died    at    Frederick,    Oct.    7,    '62,    of 

wounds  rec'd  at  Antietam  ;  buried  in 

Charles  Evans  Cem.,  Reading. 

Hoffman,  Wm.  G. 

Aug.  23,  '61  !  Captured  at  Bull  Run;  killed  at  Fred- 

ericksburg. 

Hawk,  Albert. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Wounded  and  prisoner  at   Bull   Run; 

captured  Oct.   10,  '63;  died  at  Salis 

bury,  Mar.  23,  '64. 

Haller,  Ebenezer. 

Sep.     9f'6i 

Captured  Aug.   19,  '64;  died  at  Salis 

bury,  Dec.  20,  '64. 

Hetrick,  J. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

No  record. 

Hoffman,  W.  J. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Deserted  July  21,  '63. 

Johnson,  Wm.  M. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded   and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Keen,  Albert. 

Aug.  27,  '61     Wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  12,  '64; 

disch.  June  21,  '65. 

Kelley,  John. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Disch.  Feb.  27,  '63. 

Kelchner,  I.  C. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

Disch.  Aug  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Morrow,  Wm. 

Feb.  24,  '64 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  IO,  '64  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Miller,  Levi. 

Aug.  23,  '61  |  Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Miller,  Edw. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch. 

Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

236 


AOSTKR    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Miller,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Mohr,  Daniel. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  transf.  to  2d  U. 

S.  Art.,  Nov.  14,  '62. 

Milhoff,  Charles. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Killed    at   Antietam  ;    buried   in    Nat. 

Cem.,  grave  74. 

Miller,  V. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Deserted  April  n,  '62. 

McAvoy,  J. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  Sep.  28,  '62. 

Naugle,  M. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Oliphant,  Jos. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Transf.  to  1  5th  Reg.  U.  S.  Inf.,  June,  '63. 

Platz,  Franklin. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64  ; 

transf.  to  V.  R.  Corps;  disch.  July  27, 

'65. 

Peififer,  Levi  J. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  Dec.  10,  '63. 

Pugh,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Died  at  City  Point,  Aug.  I,  '64. 

Roland,  Lucian. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Roland  Chas.  A. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64; 

disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Reedy,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64; 

disch.  May  3,  '65. 

Reilley,  II. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Transf.  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Aug.,  '63. 

Roland,  H. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Deserted  Sep.  23,  '62. 

Reed,  J. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Deserted  Nov.  23,  62. 

Sanders,  Chas. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Captured  Oct.  10,  '63,  and  died  in  cap 

tivity. 

Snyder,  Wm. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run  ; 

disch.  Oct.  9,  '62. 

Strohecker,  Cyrus. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  10,  '64  ; 

disch.  Aug.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Swoyer,  L. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Transf.  to  2d  U.  S.  Art.,  Jan.  23,  '62. 

Smith,  Geo. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Died  at  Alexandria,  Dec.  12,  '62;  bur 

ied  in  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  141. 

Smith,  Henry. 

Aug.  23,  '6l  !  Killed  at  Petersburg,  June  18,  '64. 

Schaeffer,  H.  M. 

Aug.  23,  '6l     Deserted,  but  returned  to  duty. 

Trout,  Daniel. 

Feb.  22,  '64     Disch.  May  13,  '65. 

Wise,  Albert  G. 

Sep.    16,  '61     M.  o.  with  Co.,  June  30,  '65. 

Wynn,  Chas. 

Aug.  23,  '61  :  Wounded  at  Antietam;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wharton,  Jas. 

Aug.  23,  '61     Captured  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Feb.  4, 

'65- 

Wootten,  Jno. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Wounded  on  Weldon  R.R.  ;  disch.  Sep. 

27,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Wallace,  Jno.  M. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Co.  G,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Yerger,  E.  S. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Co.  G,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Yoder,  Jeff. 

Aug.  23,  '61  |  Died  at  Alexandria,  Dec.  12,  '62. 

Young,  Edwd. 

Aug.  24,  '61  i  Captured   at   Gettysburg,  July    I,    '63; 

died  at  Culpeper,  Feb.  I,  '64;  buried 

in  Alexandria  Cem.,  grave  1357. 

Zeiber,  Jno. 

Sep.     3f'6i 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Nov.  30, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

Company  A,  Recruits. 


237 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

W.  J.  Hutchinson. 

Sep.    24,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

L.  Briggs. 

Sep.   25,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

J.  Harris. 

Sep.   25,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Privates. 

Altimon,  S.  R. 

Sep.   25,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Bell,  Alex. 

Sep.    25/64 

Drafted  ;    wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run, 

Feb.  6/65. 

Boston,  E. 

Sep.   25,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  3,  '65. 

Dyer,  G. 

Sep.   25/64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Grant,  J. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  14,  '65. 

Green,  J. 

Sep.  24/64 

To  1  07th  P.  V.,  Dec.  I,  '64. 

Milliard,  O. 

Sep.     5,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Milliard,  I. 

Sep.     5/64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Ration,  J. 

Sep.     5,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Harp,  J.  P. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  5,  '65. 

Hoffman,  W.  H. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

To  loyth  P.  V.,  Dec.  i,  '64. 

Jesse,  J. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Kieffer,  Val. 

Mar.  n,  '65 

Drafted;  died  June  2,  '65;  grave  3191, 

Alexandria  Cem. 

Leaves,  J. 

Sep.   24/64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Martin.  W. 

Sep.  24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  20,  '65. 

Martin,  R. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Pryor,  T. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Phillips,  Jas. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  killed  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Feb. 

7,  '65. 

Ross,  G. 

Sep    24,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Sullivan,  J. 

Sep.  24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Stevenson,  B. 

Sep.  24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Waid,  J. 

Sep.  25,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Wilson,  H. 

Sep.  27,  '64 

Drafted;  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Company  B,  Recruited  in  Berks  County. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Henry  A.  Myers. 
E.  A.  Mass. 

Albert  Nagle. 

Sep.  18,  '61 
Sep.  12,  '61 

Sep.  12,  '61 

Resigned  Nov.  I,  '62. 
From  1st  Lt.,  Jan.  7,  '63 
16/65. 
From  ist  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt 
Capt.,  -    -  '65;    not 
with  Co.,  June  30,  '65. 

;  Lt.  -Col.,  June 

.,  June  17,  '65; 
must.  ;     m.   o. 

233 


XOSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 


First  Lieutenants. 

Geo.  B.  Rhoads. 

Geo.  W.  Grant. 


Aaron  H.  Moyer. 


Mustered  In. 


Sep.   18, '61 
Sep.   12, '61 

Sep.   12,  '61 


x,  ...ml  lieutenants. 

Samuel  G.  Boone.  Sep.    12,  '61 


Laf.  K.  Mohn. 


Sergeants. 

Rich'd  Bell. 
Percival  Y.  Rhodes. 
Zach.  Svvavely. 

Jacob  Shuster. 

Aaron  Bright,  Jr. 
Ebenezer  Lee. 


Henry  Evans. 


Wm.  D.  Clemens. 

Corporal*. 

Henry  Moore. 
John  Friesleben. 
Chas.  S.  Butler. 


Isaac  J.  Brown. 
Aaron  Guenther. 

Jno.  R-  Laucks. 
Lewis  W.  Bonnin. 


Sep.    12, '61 


Sep.  6,  '6 1 

Sep.  12,  '6 1 

Sep.  12,  '61 

Oct.  i,  '61 

Sep.  13,  '61 

Sep.  13,  '6 1 


Sep.    12,  '61 


Sep.   12,  '61 


Sep.  9,  '61 
Nov.  11/63 
Sep.  12,  '6 1 


Sep.  2,  '61 

Sep.  2,  '6 1 

Sep.  12,  '6 1 

Sep.  ii,  '61 


Record. 


From  2d  Lt.,  Nov.  I,  '62,  to  Capt.  Co. 
F.,  April  10,  '63. 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  Nov.  I,  '62;  1st 
Lt.,  April  10,  '63;  prisoner  at  Gettys 
burg,  July  I,  '63  ;  disch.  April  25, '65. 

From  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt.,  Mar.  3,  '65;  not 
must. ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

From  Sgt.  to  Sgt.-Maj. ;  to  2d  Lt.,  Mar. 

1,  '63;  captured  at  Gettysburg,  July  I, 
'63;  prisoner  at  Richmond,  Danville, 
Macon,    Charleston,   and    Columbia; 
escaped  to  Sherman's  army,  Feb.  17, 
'65;  disch.  May  17,  '65. 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  Mar.  3,  '65;  not 
must.;  wounded  June  18,  '64;  m.  o. 
with  Co. 

From  Priv. ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Disch.  Dec.  I,  '62. 

Wounded  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg ; 
disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run,  Mar.  31, 
'65;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

To  Co.  G.,  Feb.  16,  '64. 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  died  at  An 
napolis,  April  6,  '65 ;  buried  in  Friends ' 
Cem.,  Amity  Township,  Berks  Co. 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run  ; 
killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  1/63;  buried 
in  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  61. 

Captured  on  Weldon  R.  R. ;  died  in 
Salisbury  Prison  Pen,  Mar.  25,  '65. 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

From  Priv.  to  Corp.;  disch.  Sep.  12,  '64, 

in    field    before    Petersburg,    exp.    of 

term. 
Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64, 

disch.  Sep.  6,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 
Wounded  at  Kelly's   Ford  ;  disch.  Sep. 

2,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 
Disch.  Feb.  14,  '63. 

Wounded  in  hip,  and  prisoner  at  Get 
tysburg,  July  I,  '63;  transf.  to  V.  R. 
Corps;  disch.  Sep.  II,  '64,  exp.  of 
term. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


239 


Rank. 


Mustered  In. 


Record. 


Corporals. 

John  Eagle. 

Pierson  O.  Miller. 


Reuben  Neider. 
Chas.  V.  Yerger. 

Musicians. 

George  W.  Leader. 

Edwin  Ball. 
William  Sands. 

Privates. 


Sep.    II, '6l  |  Wounded    by   guerillas,   and    died    at 

Alexandria,  Sep.  16,  '62. 
Oct.      3,  '61     Wounded     at     Bull     Run;      mortally 

wounded    at    Petersburg,   June    18; 

died  June   28,   '64;    buried  at  City 

Point. 
Sep.    12, '61     Captured  on  Weldon   R.  R.;    died  at 

Salisbury,  Dec.  28,  '64. 
Sep.   23,  '61     Captured  on  Weldon  R.  R. ;  killed  on 

cars  bet.  Salisbury  and  Goldsborough, 

Feb.  25,  '65. 
Sep.    19,  '6l     Wounded  at  Bull  Run ;   prisoner  from 

July  i  to  Aug.,  '63;    disch.  July  7, 

'65- 

Sep.    12,  '61  |  Prisoner  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Sep.  12, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 
Sep.    12,  '61  |  Prisoner    at    Gettysburg;    to    Principal 

Musician,  Feb.  6,  '64. 


Burkart,  Samuel. 

Sep.      2,  '61  '  Wounded  at  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  and 

with  loss  of  left  arm,  May  25,  '64; 

disch.  Nov.  3,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Brakeman,  David. 

Sep.   16,  '61 

Disch.  July  4,  '62. 

Browning,  George. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Disch.  April  8,  '63. 

Beidler,  Daniel. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Behm,  Jacob. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Boger,  George  W. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Brigade  butcher;    disch.  Sep.   18,  '64, 

exp.  of  term. 

Behm,  Jesse  K. 

Mar.  30,  '64 

Wounded   in  Wilderness;    disch.  Jan. 

17,  '65. 

Blewitt,  B.  P. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  15,  '64. 

Bowman,  Geo. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg;  to  V.  R. 

Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Clement,  Joseph  C. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Oct.  18, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Colton,  Chas. 

Sep.    ii,'6i 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  16,  '64. 

Colton,  Michael. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  16,  '64. 

Conway,  Francis. 

Sep.   18,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  July  12,  '62,  of  in 

juries  rec'd  May  7  ;  grave  83. 

Cavender,  Jos.  M. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Died  in  hosp.   at   Falls   Church,  Aug. 

18,  '62. 

Drexle,  Jacob. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Prisoner  from  Aug.  18,  '64,  to  Mar.  13 

'65  ;  disch.  May  2,  '65. 

Drexle,  Henry. 

Sep.    20,  '61 

Disch.  June  4,  '62. 

Deemer,  Tobias. 

Sep.  21,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  21,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Diftenbach,  Adam. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Dec.    23,   '62,  of 

wounds    rec'd     at     Fredericksburg; 

buried  in  Chas.  Evans  Cem.,  Reading. 

240 


XOSTEK    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Ermentrout,  Alfred  D. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  20,  '62. 

Ebling,  Echv.  G. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at    Bull  Run  ; 

disch.  Feb.  28,  '63. 

Fry,  Henry  II  . 

Sep.   12,  '6  1 

Disch.  Feb.  9,  '62. 

Gardiner,  Saml.  B. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Transf.  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Nov.   15,  '63; 

disch.  Sep.  4,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Greim,  Henry. 

Sep.   20,  '61 

Wounded  ;  disch.  Sep.  20,  '64,  exp.  of 

term. 

Hawkins,  Josh.  B. 

Sep.   n,  '61 

Wounded  at  Petersburg,  June   18,  '64; 

in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Hickle,  Jos. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;     disch. 

Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hunterson,  Henry. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Prisoner  at  Gettysburg,   July  i,'63;  to 

V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  1  6,  "'64. 

Hell,  Jacob. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at   Bull   Run  ; 

to  i6th  U.  S.  Inf  'y. 

High,  Win.                             Sep.   12,  '61 

Deserted. 

Jacoby,  Geo.  W.                    Sep.     2,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  May  27, 

'65- 

Kelly,  Jno. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Absent  wounded  at  m.  o. 

Keller,  Adam. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Absent  wounded  at  m.  o. 

Kuhn,  Henry  M.                 !  Sep.    26,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  19,  '62. 

Longmire,  Saml.  D.               Sep.    II,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Lindermuth,  J.                         April  12,  '62 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Lee,  G.  W.                            July    12,  '62 

Deserted  Dec.  12,  '62. 

Morris,  Samuel. 

Sep.   n,  '61 

Wounded    Mar.    31,  '65;    disch.    July 

15,  '65. 

McCullough,  Jno.                  Sep.     2,  '61 

Prisoner  at  Bull  Run  ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

McComb,  Wm.                      Sep.     2,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  II,  '62. 

McNeal,  David.                     Sep.   20,  '61 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg;    disch. 

June  21,  '63. 

McNulty,  Cornelius.              Sep.    18,  '61 

Wounded   and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

killed  at  Dabney's  Mills,  Feb.  7,  '65  ; 

buried  in  Poplar  Grove  Cem.,  Peters 

burg,  grave  32. 

Peterman,  Geo. 

Sep.  20,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  27,  '63. 

Porter,  N. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Deserted  May  25,  '65.  (?) 

Reppert,  Albert  H. 

Nov.  14,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co.,  June  30,  '65. 

Read,  Henry. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Wounded   at    Gettysburg,  July  3,  '63  ; 

absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Reifsnyder,  Joel. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Sep.  12, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Reif,  William. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Reif,  Henrv  D. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Ramich,  Wm. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

To  Co.  G,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Smith,  Daniel. 

Sep.  20,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co.,  June  30,  '65. 

Stauffer,  Christ. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


241 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Snyder,  Jacob. 

Feb.   23,  '64 

Disch.  June  5,  '65. 

Shearer,  Peter  D. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Captured    at   Gettysburg,   July   I,   '63; 

disch.  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Sep.  12, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Shelley,  Jesse. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1 

Di>>ch.  Nov.  22,  '62. 

Seidel,  R.  W. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  22,  '63. 

Sterney,  Joseph. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Disch.  April  6,  '63. 

Seyfert,  Jas. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam,  and  loss  of  left 

arm  at  Petersburg,  June  18,  '64;  disch. 

Dec.  9,  '64. 

Shonour,  John. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  in  arm  at  Gettysburg;   to  V. 

R.  Corps,  Nov.  30,  '64. 

Shuster,  Samuel. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Died  at  Fairfax,  Aug.  22,  '62;  buried 

at  Alexandria,  grave  155°- 

Seery,  Jno. 

Sep.      5,  '64 

Died  at  Point  Lookout,  Mar.  1  8,  '64. 

Turner,  Chas.  H. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  12,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Teed,  Geo. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Cedar  Mountain,  Aug.  9, 

'62  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Sep.  30,  '63  ;  first 

member  of  Reg.  wounded. 

Vankirk,  Samuel. 

Sep.    14,  '6  1 

Disch.  Mar.  2,  '63. 

Wentzel,  Jonathan  L. 

Sep.    1  8,  '6  1 

Disch.  Sep.  18,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Weidener,  Wm. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;   disch.  Feb.  6, 

'63. 

Wesley,  Samuel. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  18,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Whitehead,  Edw. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  March  16,  '63. 

Whitehead,  Wm.  H. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Died  in  hosp. 

Warren,  Jas.  W. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

To  Co.  D,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Waterman,  Jno. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  prisoner  ;  died 

at  Andersonville,  Mar.  23,  '65  ;  grave 

128. 

Waterman,  Lewis. 

July   30/63 

Prisoner;  died  at  Salisbury,  Feb.  7,  '65. 

Voder,  James. 

Mar.  30,  '64 

Killed  at  Dabney's  Mills,  Feb.  7,  '65. 

Ziegler,  Geo. 

Feb.  26,  '64 

Disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Company  B,  Recruits. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

J.  Nagle. 

Aug.    3,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

J.  Young. 
W.  Kenney. 

Oct.      i,  '64 
Oct.     5,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 
Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

W.  Chambers. 

Jan.    19,  '65 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

George  W.  Gaylord. 

Aug.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

If) 


242 


XOSTEK    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Bush,  T. 

Sep.   28,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  ip,  '65. 

Cravener,  D. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Fritz,  F.  E. 

Sep.   21/64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  15,  65. 

Fagler,  H. 

To  I02d  P.  V. 

Gartland,  M. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hultenstine,  P. 

Sep.   22,  '64 

Drafted;  died  Dec.  17,  '64;  grave  8594, 

Arlington  Cem. 

King,  G. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Kentz,  C. 

Sep.  26,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Lev-is,  S. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Maynarcl,  E. 

Sep.      6,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  July  19,  '65. 

McGeehan,  J. 

Sep.    27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

McNelly,  \V. 

Aug.  27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Magel,  A. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Missing  in  action,  Dec.  lo,  '64. 

Powers,  W. 

Sep.    28,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Sohns,  F. 

Sep.      8,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Sowers,  A. 

Sep.    12,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Waterson,  N. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Yount,  D. 

Oct.      5,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  23,  '65. 

Yockey,  G.  W. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Yockey,  F. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Zacarius,  E. 

Aug.  24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  15,  '65. 

Company  C,  Recruited  in  Manayunk,  Conshohocken,  and  Vicinity 


Rank. 


Mustered  In. 


Record. 


Captains. 

John  J.  Belsterling. 
J.  Sarazin  Steeple. 


Andrew  J.  Wamsley. 
Robert  Thwait. 
John  Bemesderfer. 


Fir«t  Lieutenant. 

Robert  Herron. 


Sep.    13,  '6l  j  Killed  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Sep.  10,  '61  From  ist  Lt.,  Sep.  I,  '62;  Maj.,  Feb. 
17,  '64;  wounded  through  lung  at 
Antietam. 

Sep.  3,  '6 1  To  ist  Lt.,  Sep.  I,  '62;  Capt.,  Feb.  16, 
'64 ;  disch.  May  2,  '64,  for  wounds 
rec'd  at  Antietam. 

Dec.  13,  '61  From  ist  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt.,  Oct.  31,  '64;  to 
Capt.,  Dec.  18,  '64  ;  wounded  at  Bull 
Run  and  Laurel  Hill ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Aug.  24,  '61  To  ist  Lt.,  Mar.  7,  '64;  Capt.,  May  4, 
'64;  not  must.;  wounded  at  Freder- 
icksburg,  and  disch.,  Oct.  22,  '64,  for 
wounds  rec'd  at  Spottsylvania. 

Aug.  24,  '61  From  ist  Sgt.  to  1st  Lt.,  Dec.  18,  '64; 
wounded  at  Bull  Run  in  right  ankle, 
and  at  Spottsylvania  through  both 
thighs ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


243 


Rank. 

Mustered  In.                                        Record. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Harry  Hudson. 

Sep.    13,  '6l 

Killed  on  R  R.  bridge  over  Cedar  Runr 

Va.,  Aug.  18,  '62. 

Jonathan  E.  Rogers. 

Sep.      9,  '61 

From  Corp.  to  Sgt.,  May  I,  65;   2d  Lt., 

June  9,  '65;   not  must.;  wounded  at 

Bull  Run  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Nath.  L.  Jones. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

From    Sgt.    to    2d     Lt.  ;     not    must.  ; 

wounded      at      Fredericksburg      and 

Hatcher's  Run;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Sergeants. 

Jno.  N.  Hanson. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

1st  Sgt.;  wounded  at  Fredericksburg; 

disch.  exp.  of  term. 

Geo.  H.  Fulton. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

1st  Sgt.;  killed  at  Fredericksburg;  buried 

in  Military  Asylum  Cem.,  D.  C. 

Chalkley  Fox. 

Nov.  17,  '61 

From  Corp.,  June  13,  '65;  wounded  at 

Antietam  ;     captured    Aug.    19,    '64; 

prisoner   until    Mar.    19,    '65  ;    m.   o. 

with  Co. 

Edmund  Davis. 

Feb.  27,  '64 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65;  Sgt.,  June   13, 

'65  ;   m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jno.  McFeeters. 

Feb.  29/64 

To  Corp.,  May  i,  '65;   Sgt.,  June  13, 

'65  ;   m.  o.  with  Co. 

Robt.  Timbers. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  absent  on  fur 

lough  at  m.  o. 

Chas.  B.  Keil. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.    exp. 

of  term. 

Jno.  W.  Waters. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Rum  and  Gettysburg; 

disch.  exp.  of  term. 

Geo.  W.  Vaughn. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  June  13, 

'65- 

Jno.  B.  Donahoe. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Jno.  T.  Williams. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Captured    at    Bull   Run,  but   escaped  ; 

wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May  12,  '64, 

ball  in  right  side;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Corporals. 

David  Trexler. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  to  Corp.,  June 

13,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jos.  J.  Cloud. 

Mar.     9,  '64 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  Townsend. 

Mar.     3,  '64 

To  Corp.,  June  13,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Ellis  P.  Aldred. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

To  Corp.,  June  13.  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Thos.  Hurley. 

Feb.  29,  '64 

To  Corp.,  June  13,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  C.  Richardson. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Sep.  6, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Neal  Boyd. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run  and  Gettysburg; 

disch.  Sep.  8,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Jas.  W.  Colen. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Aug.  25, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Jno.  Pugh. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded  on  the  Rappahannock;  disch. 

exp.  of  term. 

244 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In.                                        Record. 

Corporal*. 

Jas.  McCaulley. 

Sep.    12,  '61  ;  Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July  3;  to  V. 

R.  Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Harry  Austin. 

Aug.  24,  '61     Killed  at  Bull  Run,  Aug  30,  '62. 

Patrick  Blaney. 

Aug.  24,  '61  I  Died  at   Philadelphia,  Oct.   8,   '62,  of 

wounds  rec'd  at  Bull  Run. 

John  Kellum. 

Feb.     4,  '62     Died  of  wounds  rec'd  at  Antietam. 

Husician. 

Geo.  W.  Lewis. 

Nov.     i,  '6l     Prisoner  at  Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Privates. 

Albright,  Thos. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1     Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Sep.  12, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Andrews,  Jos. 

Feb.   12,  '62     Disch.,  exp.  of  term. 

Bradshaw,  David. 

Sep.     9,  '61     Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Nov.  5, 

'62. 

Binns,  Samuel. 

Aug.  24,  '61  i  Wounded    at    Bull  Run,  Mini£-ball  in 

forehead,  with  loss  of  right  eye  ;  disch. 

Mar.  ii,  '63. 

Buckings,  Wm. 

Sep.    14,  '61  \  Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  exp.  of 

term. 

Boyd,  Wm. 

Aug.  28,  '61  !  Disch.  Jan.  5,  '64. 

Burke,  L. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Wounded;  deserted. 

Charles,  Francis. 

Aug.  28,  '6  1 

Wounded  at   Dabney's   Mills,   Feb.   5, 

'65;  disch.  June  16,  '65. 

Clinch,  Jas. 

Mar.     3,  '64 

Wounded  at  Petersburg;  absent  in  hosp. 

at  m.  o. 

Comstock,  Clayton. 

Sep.     3,  '6  1 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Congle,  Jno. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded   at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch., 

date  unknown. 

Christy,  Jas. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Wounded    at  Bull    Run  ;    disch.,  date 

unknown. 

Duey,  Geo.  W. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Dixon,  Thos.  J. 

Aug.  24,  '6  1 

Died    at    Manayunk,    Oct.    9,   '62,    of 

wounds  received  at  Bull  Run. 

Davis,  Geo.  W. 

Dec.  16,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Sep.  8, 

'64. 

Downey,  Jas. 

Aug.  14,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam. 

Davis,  Jno. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Deserted. 

Elmer,  William  J. 

Dec.  19,  '61  i  Disch.  Dec.  3,  '62. 

Errickson,  Fred. 

Sep.    12,  '61     Disch.  Nov.  30,  '62. 

Ferrier,  Jas. 

Feb.   21,  '64 

Absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Fimple,  Jas. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Jan.  I,  '62. 

Githens,  Joshua. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Discharged  Feb.  13,  '63. 

Green,  Geo.  W. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Dec.  3, 

'64. 

Goodex,  Edw. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run,  and  loss  of  left 

arm  at   Laurel   Hill;   disch.   Nov.   7, 

'64. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


245 


Rank.                       j    Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Hartzell,  David  K. 

Sep.      3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run  and  left  on  field; 

to  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.,  '64. 

Hague,  James. 

Sep.      9,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg,  and  prisoner  to 

Sep.   '63  ;    wounded  at  Spottsylvania, 

May  10,  '64;  disch.  in  front  of  Peters 

burg,  Sep.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hannum,  D.  N. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  13,  '62. 

Holden,  Peter. 

Feb.   14,  '62 

Disch.  Oct.  14,  '62,  for  wounds. 

Hinkle,  Peter. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg  ; 

disch.  Oct.  5,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hall,  Jas. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Wounded  at    Bull    Run;    disch.,  date 

unknown. 

Hollacher,  Michael. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Killed  July  I  at  Gettysburg. 

Herman,  William. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;  deserted. 

Jeandell,  William  H. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Johnston,  William. 

Jan.      6,  '62 

Died   Oct.   I,   '62  ;    buried  in  Military 

Asylum  Cem.,  D.  C. 

Jones,  Lewis. 

Aug.  24,  '6  1 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Kyte,  Jno.  L. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Transf.  to  hosp.  service. 

Levins,  David. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Levi,  J.  J. 

Sep.   10,  '61 

To  Sgt.-Maj.,  Sep.,  '61. 

Lewis,  Phineas. 

Aug.  24,  '6  1 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Feb.  12,  '64. 

Mulholland,  Joseph. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  July,  '62. 

Murphy,  Patrick. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Maddis,  Wm. 

Nov.  20,  '61 

Mortally  wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;   died 

at  Finley  Hosp.,  Oct.  7,  '62;  buried 

in  Military  Asylum  Cem.,  D.  C. 

McElwee,  James. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  21,  '63. 

McDowell,  Jos. 

Sep.   10,  '61 

Wounded    at    Bull    Run  and   Spottsyl 

vania;  disch.  exp.  of  term. 

Pierson,  Thomas. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  10,  '63. 

Palmer,  Thomas. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Disch.  1863. 

Pinyard,  Matt. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Disch.  exp.  of  term. 

Righter,  Jno.  D. 

Aug.  28,  '6  1 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Reed,  Wm. 

July   30,  '64 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Reaver,  Jno.  B. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;    absent   at 

m.  o. 

Rodgers,  Geo.  M. 

Feb.  28,  '64 

Wounded    at    Spottsylvania  ;    prisoner 

from  Aug.   19,  '64,  to  Mar.   14,  '65  ; 

died  in  hosp. 

Ruth,  Simpson. 

Aug.  24,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Mar.  24, 

'63- 

Rex,  Wilson. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Mar.  21, 

'63- 

Rex,  D. 

July    22,  '64 

Disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Raider,  Henry. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Died  at  Emory  Hosp.,  Washington,  Sep. 

22,  '63. 

Rodgers,  James. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

KOSTEK    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Still,  George. 

Mar.  16,  '64 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Stemple,  Henry. 

Mar.     3,  '64 

Wounded  at  Lawel  Hill,  May  8,  '64  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Smith,  Benj. 

Mar.    3,  '64 

Wounded  and   prisoner,  May  8,   '64  ; 

paroled  Sep.,  '64;  absent  in  hosp.  at 

m.  o. 

Southwick,  Jno.  H. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Sep.  29, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Snyder,  Amos. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.,  date 

unknown. 

Scantling,  Peter. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Speer,  Jas. 

Sep.     9,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  died  of  wounds 

rec'd  at  Spottsylvania,  May  10,  '64. 

Toland,  Geo.  H. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg  and  Gettys- 

burg,  ball  in  eye  and  out  of  mouth  ; 

to  V.  R.  Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Williams,  Jas. 

Aug.  28,  '6l     Prisoner  from  May  7  to  Nov.   17,  '64; 

disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Webster,  Curtis. 

Sep.     3,  '61     Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Winn,  Thos. 

Mar.     I,  '64     Wounded;  disch.  Mar.  18,  '65. 

Ward,  Jos. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded  on   Weldon   R.   R.  ;    disch., 

date  unknown. 

Wortz,  Chas. 

Sep.    10,  '6  1     To  Co.  B,  I2th  Reg.  V.  R.  Corps,  '63. 

Wier,  And.  J. 

Aug.  28,  '61  [  Wounded;  disch.  Feb.  21,  '63. 

Wilfong,   Peter. 

Nov.  24,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;  disch.  exp.  of 

term. 

Williams,  Wm. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1     To  V.  R.  Corps,  April  28,  '64. 

White,  Robt. 

Aug.  28,  '61     Died  at  Philadelphia. 

Williams,  And. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  July  18,  '64. 

Zazier,  Chas.  A. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  I,  '63. 

Company  C,  Recruits. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporal. 

J.  A.  Buch. 

Oct.     5,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Privates. 

Denuth,  P. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  lo,  '65. 

Euhler,  H. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Gondy,  G. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Grande,  H. 

Aug.  29,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry,  D. 

Jan.    31,  '65 

Substitute;  wounded  Mar.  31,  '65. 

McCullough,  W. 

Aug.  24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  May  16,  '65. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


247 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Reynolds,  J.  D. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  5,  '65. 

Reynolds,  C.  T. 

Sep.    24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  5,  '65. 

Seybold,  F. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Tippit,  J.  A. 

Sep.    28,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Wagner,  P. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Wise,  J.  G. 

Aug.  25,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Company  D,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Geo.  W.  Fairlamb. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Resigned  April  30,  '62. 

Louis  Wagner. 

Aug.  n,  '61 

From  1st  Lt.,  April  30,  '62,  to  Lt.-Col., 

Feb.  24,  '63.     (See  Field  and  Staff.) 

Wm.  H.  Fairlamb. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

From  2d  to  1st  Lt.,  April  30,  '62  ;  Capt., 

Dec.  I,  '62;  wounded  at  Bull   Run; 

dis.  Oct.  21,  '63. 

Robt.  E.  Cuskaden. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

From  2d  Lt.  Co.  F,  Feb.  17,  '64;  disch. 

Nov.  II,  '64. 

Jas.  P.  Meade. 

Jan.      3,  '65 

To   Brevet  Maj.,  Mar.   13,  and   Brevet 

Lt.-Col.,  April  i,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

June  30,  '65. 

First  Lieutenants. 

George  E.  Wagner. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

From  ist  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  April  30,  '62; 

1st  Lt.,  Dec.  I,  '62  ;  Capt.  8th  U.  S.  C. 

Troops,  Oct.  14,  '63;  to  Brevet-Col., 

'65- 

George  M.  Donnelly. 

Sep.    24,  '61 

From    Sgt.-Maj.,    Mar.  7,  '64;    disch. 

Aug.    12,    '64,   for  wounds    rec'd   at 

Laurel  Hill. 

Charles  Hunter. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

From    Sgt.  to    1st    Lt.,   Jan.    16,    '65; 

wounded    at   Laurel    Hill  ;    resigned 

June  12,  '65. 

Jno.  Ewing. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  June  9,  '65  ;    1st 

Lt.,  June  14,  '65  ;  not  must.  ;  wounded 

at  Petersburg  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Robert  B.  Death. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  Dec.   I,  '62;   to 

Capt.  6th  Reg.  U.  S.  C.  Troops,  Aug. 

29,  '63  ;  wounded  at  Bull  Run,  Aug. 

30,  '62;  to  Brevet  Col.,  '65. 

Mortimer  Wisham. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  June  14,  '65;  not 

must.  ;    wounded  at  Dabney's  Mills, 

Feb.  6,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

148 


KOSTEK    OF   THE 


Rank.                           Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Sergeants. 

Wm.  Chambers.                      Aug.  31,  '6  1 

From  Priv.  to  1st  Sgt.  ;  killed  at  Fred- 

ericksburg. 

Wm.  M.  Richards.                 Sep.   21,  '6  1 

To  Sgt.,  Feb.  I,  '65  ;  wounded  at  Peters 

burg,  June  18,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jos.  Trainer.                            Sep.    12,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  April  I,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  M.  Burker.                 Sep.     9,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  April  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Aug.  M.  Ruth.                       Sep.     9,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Feb.  23, 

'63- 

Jno.  M.  Taylor. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Disch.  April  10,  '63. 

Wm.  Coppes.                          Aug.  28,  '61     Disch.  Aug.  28,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Wm.  B.  Rodgers.                  Sep.     2,  '61 

Died  Oct.  17,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Antietam. 

Charles  H.  Kartsher. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

To    Adj.,    Nov.    24,    '62;    not    must.; 

killed  at  Fredericksburg. 

Jas.  A.  Devlin. 

Mar.  25,  '62 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  died  June  17, 

'64,  of  wounds  rec'd  at  Spoth-ylvania. 

Corporals. 

Harvey  Myers. 

Sep.      i,  '6  1 

From  Priv.  to  Corp.  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Geo.  Stitchenbox. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

From    Priv.    to    Corp.  ;    wounded    and 

prisoner   at    Bull    Run  ;    wounded  at 

Five  Forks;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Echv.  Murray. 

Sep.     6,  '61 

Wounded   and  prisoner  at   Bull   Run  ; 

wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  from  Priv.  to 

Corp.  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jos.  Murphy. 

Feb.   27,  '64 

To  Corp.,  April  I,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wm.  Frederick.                      Feb.   23,  '64 

To  Corp.,  April  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  B.  Boyer.                  !  Aug.  31,  '61 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Robt.  Anderson.                     Feb.   26,  '64 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  wounded  at  Cold 

Harbor;  absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Henry  M.  West.                     Sep.     9,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  I,  '62. 

Theodore  Mcllheney. 

Sep.    12,  '6  1 

Disch.  Feb.  n,  '63. 

Albert  Williams. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  23,  '63,  for  wounds  rec'd  at 

Rappahannock,  Aug.  22,  and  at  Bull 

Run,  Aug.  30,  '62. 

C.  S.  Stuart. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Disch.  May  17,  '63. 

George  W.  Armstrong. 

Sep.   20,  '61 

To  Corp.,  July  i,'63;  disch.  Sep.  20, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Jno.  S.  Walton. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Dec.  9,  '63. 

Husieiaiis. 

Albert  F.  Hardy. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

To  Principal  Musician,  May  30,  '65. 

George  C.  Cuskaden. 

Feb.  26,  '64 

Disch.  June  12,  '65. 

Privates. 

Allen,  Wm. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Disch.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  Oct.  8, 

'61. 

Armitage,  C.  W. 

Aug.  31,  '6  1     Disch.  Sep.  26,  '63. 

Burke,  Wm. 

Sep.      9,  '6  1     Disch.  April  25,  '62. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


249 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Boyer,  Wm. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Disch.  July  27,  '62. 

Burris,  Edw. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Feb.  13, 

Bozarth,  Rich.  F. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Died  at  Washington,  Sep.  20,  '62  ;  buried 

in  Military  Asylum  Cem.,  D.  C. 

Bratton,  G. 

Sep.     6,  '61 

Deserted  Mar.  21,  '63. 

Caldwell,  Samuel. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Died  of  wounds  rec'd  at  Antietam. 

Carson,  Wesley. 

Feb.  25,  '64 

Captured  Dec.  12,  '64;  died  in  prison, 

Jan.  29,  '65. 

Collins,  Wm. 

Oct.      3,  '61  • 

Captured  ;  died  in  captivity. 

Carter,  J. 

Feb.   11,  '64 

Disch.  June  12,  '65. 

Cornish,  B.  F. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  9,  '63. 

Cullen,  D. 

Aug.  26,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  1  6,  '62. 

Coffin,  L.  B. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  deserted  April 

I,  '64. 

Dickhart,  George  W. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps 

May  15,  '64. 

Davidson,  Thos. 

Sep.   10,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Egner,  Conrad. 

Sep.      2,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  2,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Early,  Jno. 

Sep.      9,  '61 

Wounded   and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run  ; 

disch.  Nov.  10,  '63,  and  died  at  Phila 

delphia. 

Fling,  Howell. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Disch.  April  25,  '62. 

Follin,  Michael. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Died  at  Washington,  Mar.  17/64;  buried 

in  Military  Asylum  Cem.,  D.  C. 

Friel,  Jno. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Died,  date  unknown. 

Fisher,  Thomas. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Deserted  July  22,  '63. 

Gray,  Henry  B. 

Mar.  18,  '64 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Griffin,  Patrick. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  20,  '63. 

Gannon,  Michael. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Died  Oct.  10,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Bull  Run. 

Grace,  Jas.  Y. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Died   at  Alexandria,  Oct.   21,   '6l,  of 

typhoid  fever.     First  member  of  the 

Reg.  to  die. 

Hunt,  Elwood. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  31,  '62. 

Heintzleman,  J.  C. 

Sep.     9,  '6  1 

Disch.  Feb.  20,  '63. 

Heddinger,  Wm. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Hirst,  David. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Feb.  28,  '62  ;  buried 

in  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  1075. 

Harmon,  L. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Deserted  July  22,  '63. 

Hooper,  P. 

Aug.    3,  '6  1 

Deserted  April  I,  '64. 

Irwin,  Jno. 

Dec.     2,  '61 

Died  May  31,  '64,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Laurel  Hill. 

Kirby,  W. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Deserted  June  9,  '62. 

Kernan,  Jas.  A. 

Mar.  22,  '62 

Deserted  Mar.  21,  '63. 

Larrison,  William. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  Oct,  17,  '63. 

Loudenstine,  Chas. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Disch.  July  17,  '62. 

250 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Lauer,  Wm. 

Aug   31,  '6l 

Died  Sep.  22,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Bull  Run  ;  buried  in  Military  Asylum 

Cem.,  D.  C. 

Little,  Wm. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  to  V.  R.  Corps. 

Lappin,  J. 

Aug.  31,  '61 

Deserted  Ju'y  20,  '62. 

Linus,  Jno. 

Sep.  28,  '61 

Absent  sick  at  m.  o. 

Meeks,  Oliver  P. 

Sep.     6,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  18,  '63. 

Monroe,  George. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Disch.  April  25,  '62. 

Morgan,  J. 

Sep.   16,  '61 

Deserted  Jan.  22,  '62. 

McConnel,  Thos. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Died   at   Alexandria,    Sep.    9,    '62,    of 

wounds   rec'd  at   Bull   Run  ;    buried 

in  Nat.  Cem.,  Alexandria,  grave  269. 

McClintock,  W. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

McVey,  Jas. 

Mar.  12,  '64 

Prisoner;  died  at  Lynchburg,  June  23, 

'64;    buried  in  Poplar  Grove   Cem., 

grave  131. 

Nugent,  Jno. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Norris,  Thos. 

Feb.  25,  '64  |  Absent  at  m.  o. 

Neter,  Joseph. 

Aug.  31,  '61  1  Disch.  Feb.  7,  '63. 

Onimus,  R.  S. 

Sep.    13,  '61     Disch.  Sep.  20,  '64. 

Penair,  Geo. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded    at    Gettysburg  ;     to    V.    R. 

Corps,  Mar.   7,   '65  ;    disch.  July   10, 

'65- 

Ruth,  Michael. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Dec.  8, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Russel,  Wes. 

Sep.     2,  '6  1 

Disch.  Feb.  6,  '63. 

Rodgers,  Wm. 
Simms,  Jno. 

Sep.     2,  '61 
Feb.     6,  '64 

Disch.  Aug.  31,  '62. 
Wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;  killed  at  Spott- 

sylvania. 

Sanders,  Jno. 

Aug.  26,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  5,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Sutton,  Jno. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  3,  '62. 

Searles,  Edward. 

Sep.     6,  '61 

Disch.  Oct   6,  '62. 

Thompson,  H.  H. 

Sep.    1  6,  '6  1 

To  V.  R.  Corps;  disch.  Dec.  6,  '64. 

Thomas,  Jos.  S. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Disch.  April  25,  '62. 

Thomas,  John  D. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  20,  '63. 

Tapper,  Chas. 

Mar.  20,  '62 

Deserted  Mar.  21,  '63. 

Vanderkerchen,  S. 

Mar.  15,  '64 

Disch.  May  29,  '65. 

Warren,  Jas.  W. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

From  Co.  B,  Feb.  6,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Winn,  Fras. 

Sep.     5>'6i 

Wounded   at    Gettysburg;    real    name 

Mark  Grigg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wilday,  Chas. 

Sep.   26,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  26,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Wood,  Elijah. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  12,  '63. 

Walton,  Albert. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  31,  '61. 

Wagner,  Adam. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Williams,  John  B. 

Sep.     s,  '61 

Deserted  June  23,  '62. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


Company  D,  Recruits. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporal. 

M.  Malone. 

Jan.    19,  '65 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Privates. 

Clark,  W. 

Nov.  26,  '64 

Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Cline,  Daniel. 

Jan.    18,  '65 

Missing  in  battle,  Dabney's  Mills,  Feb. 

7,  '65- 

Crownover,  G. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  2,  '65. 

Coyle,  J. 

Sep.    21,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  20,  '65. 

Eberhart,  J. 

June  22,  '64 

Drafted;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Farster,  F. 

Sep.    2  1,  '64 

Disch.  on  Surg.  certif. 

Garrison,  G. 

Jan.    17,  '65 

Disch.  May  9,  '65. 

Houser,  David. 

Sep.     4,  '64 

Drafted  ;  died  Sep.  21/64;  grave  9065, 

Arlington  Cem. 

Jones,  W. 

Dec.  16,  '64 

Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Johnson,  J.  W. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Jaques,  Hartley. 

Oct.      6,  '64 

Substitute;    killed  at    Dabney's   Mills, 

Feb.  7,  '65. 

Knapp,  C. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Kerr,  D. 

Sep.    19,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Lemmon,  T. 

Sep.    21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Miller,  D. 

Sep.  21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  30,  '65. 

Morrison,  Edw. 

Mar.  15,  '65 

Drafted;  died  Aug.  30,  '65.     The  last 
member  of  the  88th  to  die  while  in 

the  service. 

Musselman,  H. 

July   29,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Myer,  C. 

vSep.   29,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Rosenberger,  G. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Sexton,  W. 

Aug.  26,  '64 

Drafted  ;  wounded  at  Five  Forks,  April 

I,  '65. 

Stuart,  A. 

Sep.    21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Schrecongost,  S.  S. 

Sep.    21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Shofstall,  W. 

Aug.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Smith,  J. 

Aug.  31/64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  17,  '65. 

Stoss,  C. 

Sep.   26,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Steiner,  M.  C. 

Sep.   29,  '64 

Substitute  ;   missing  on  Weldon  R.  R., 

Dec.  12,  '64. 

Wert,  Jonas. 

Mar.  16,  '65 

Drafted  ;  died  June  22,  '65  ;  grave  3259, 

Alexandria  Cem. 

Wilson,  Jas.  F. 

Mar.  15,  '65 

Drafted;  died  May  I,  '65;  grave  758, 

Poplar  Grove  Cem. 

Wentz,  J. 

Sep.   28,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Whidden,  M.                          Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

252  It  OS  TEX    OF   THE 

Company  E,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Christian  S.  Carmack. 

Nov.    5,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  31,  '62,  for  wounds  rec'd 

at  Antietam. 

Jas.  H.  Johnston. 

Nov.    5,  '61  |  To  ist  Lt.,  June  17,  '62;  Capt.,  Dec. 

31,  '62;   captured  at   Bull   Run;   re 

signed  Mar.  17,  '63. 

Jos.  H.  Richards. 

Sep.     9,  '6  1 

To  Capt.,  May  I,  '63;  disch.  April  26, 

'64. 

Edward  L.  Gilligan. 

Oct.    22,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  Oct.  31,  '64  ;  Capt.,  Dec.  18, 

'64;    wounded   Mar.  31,   '65;    m.  o. 

with  Co.    Awarded  a  Medal  of  Honor 

by  War  Dept.   for  bravery  at  Gettys 

burg. 

1    I  I  «.!     1    i«   II  1  *   llilll  (s. 

Wm.  H.  Shearman. 

Oct.    22,  '61 

Resigned  June  18,  '62. 

Jas.  A.  Napier. 

Oct.    24,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  Dec.  31/62;  disch.  Mar. 

23>  '63,  for  wounds  —  with  loss  of  arm 

—  rec'd  at  Fredericksburg. 

Gerrit  S.  Nichols. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  May  18,  '63;  wounded  at 

Antietam  ;    disch.    Oct.    3,   '64,    for 

wounds  rec'd  in  Wilderness. 

Daniel  J.  Lehman. 

Sep.   20,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  Dec.   19,  '64;  captured  at 

Gettysburg;  died  at  Washington,  May 

20,    '65,   of    wounds    rec'd   at    Five 

Forks;  buried  in  Arlington  Cem. 

Jno.  S.  Campbell. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Wounded    at    Bull    Run  ;    captured   at 

Gettysburg;  to  1st  Lt.,  June  17,  '65; 

not  must.  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Albert  Booz. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  May  27,  '63  ;  disch. 

for  disability,  June  20,  '63. 

Joseph  Burris. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.,  June   14,  '65;  not 

must.  ;  wounded  at  Spottsylvania,  May 

10,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Sergeants. 

Chas.  Barber. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

From   Priv.   to    ist    Sgt.;    wounded   at 

Gettysburg;  disch.  Sep.   17,  '64,  exp. 

of  term. 

Saml.  K.  English. 

Oct.    14,  '61 

From  Priv.  to  Sgt.  ;  prisoner  at  Gettys 

burg;  also  captured  on  skirmish  line, 

May  12,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Laf.  Hickman. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Absent  on  furlough  at  m.  o. 

Henry  Ford. 

Oct.    17,  '61 

From    Corp.    to    Sgt.,   June    14,    '65; 

wounded  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg  ; 

on  furlough  at  m.  o. 

And.  Hill. 

Dec.  10,  '61 

From  Corp.,  June  14,  '65  ;  wounded  at 

Antietam  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


253 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Sergeants. 

Wm.  Montgomery. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Disch.  exp.  of  term. 

Henry  P.  Force. 

Sep.   16,  '61 

From  Corp;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Jno.  R.  Jones. 

Oct.    24,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  6,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Jno.  Monyer,  Jr. 

Sep.     9,  '61 

Disch.  July  12,  '62. 

Jacob  D.  Ninesteel. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Co.  A,  Dec.  22,  '62. 

Charles  A.  Sines. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Died  of  wounds  rec'd  at  SpottSylvania, 

May  10,  '64. 

Corporals. 

Saml.  T.  Fox. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;    wounded  at 

Spottsylvania;  to  Corp.,  May   I,  '65; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wm.  P.  Reynolds. 

.    .    .    .    '61 

Disch.  Nov.    19,  '63,  for  wounds  rec'd 

at  Gettysburg,  with  loss  of  arm. 

Benj.  B.  Lee. 

Aug.  26,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam. 

Musicians. 

Henry  Brown. 

Dec.   10,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Jacob  Hannabery. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Privates. 

Andrews,  Jacob. 

.    .    .    .    '61 

Captured  at  Bull  Run  ;  killed  at  Gettys 

burg. 

Brainerd,  Josiah. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Had   leg   accidentally   broken  ;    disch. 

exp.  ot  term. 

Britton,  Wm. 

Oct.    30,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  absent  in  hosp. 

at  m.  o. 

Borgard,  John  A. 

Mar.  1  8,  '64 

Absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Booz,  Henry  S. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Wounded   and   prisoner  at   Bull    Run  ; 

disch.  in  field  before  Petersburg,  Oct. 

15,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Barclay,  James  W. 

Oct.    u,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  6,  '63,  for  wounds  rec'd  at 

Thoroughfare  Gap. 

Bowker,  Jos. 

.    .    .    .    '61 

Disch.  Feb.  9,  '63. 

Boas,  Wm.,  Sr. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Killed    at   Antietam  ;    buried    in    City 

Cem.,  Reading. 

Boas,  Wm.,  Jr.                        Dec.     9,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg. 

Bruner,  Jos.  S. 

Oct.    14,  '61 

Killed  at  Gettysburg. 

Campbell,  Wm.  S. 
Clark,  Henry. 

Apr.     4,  '62 
Oct.    17,  '61 

Captured  May  12,  '64;  disch.  Feb.  3,  '65. 
Wounded  at  Antietam;   died  at  Alex 

andria,  June  6,  '64;  buried  in  Alex 

andria  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  1270. 

Colbridge,  Wm. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.,  1862. 

Conkey,  Joseph. 

Oct.    17,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Davidson,  Jno. 

Oct.    24,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run;    buried  in   Alex 

andria  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  346. 

Eppeheimer,  C.  W. 

Oct.    14,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  April  18,  '63. 

Ferrier,  Jesse. 

'61 

Disch.  Jan.  28,  '63. 

Fetters,  David. 

Sep.   25,  '61 

No  record. 

254 


£OS7'ER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Private*. 

Gray,  Thos. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Griffith,  Thos. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

No  record. 

Hicken,  Jesse. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Disch.  April  24,  '62. 

Halfman,  Herbert  W. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  —  ,  '62. 

Hallowell,  Alex. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Disch.  July  18,  '62. 

Hallowell,  George  W. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

No  record. 

Horner,  G.  N. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

No  record. 

Jones,  Wm.  H. 

Oct.      3,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  31,  63. 

Jackson,  Wm. 

Sep.    i  6,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

Nov.  15,  '63. 

Keville,  Patrick. 

.    .    .    .    '61 

Wounded   at  Gettysburg  ;    disch.   Sep. 

12,  '63. 

Kram,  J.  S. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Com.  Sgt.,  Oct.  4,  '61. 

Lloyd,  Henry. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  exp.  of 

term. 

Lukens,  Garret. 

Oct.    30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

April  28,  '65. 

Lewis,  Jno.  E. 

Nov.    2,  '61 

No  record. 

Myers,  Jno. 

Oct.     3,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Markley,  Benj. 

Mar.     6,  '62 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Mar.  6, 

'65,  exp  of  term. 

Murphy,  John  S. 

Oct.    15,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  6,  '61. 

Mallison,  Joseph. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  8,  '62. 

Murphy,  Frank  K. 

Oct.    21,  '61 

To  Hosp.  Steward. 

McDonald,  Joseph. 

Oct.    29,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  28,  '62. 

Mclntire,  I. 

Feb.  23,  '64 

To  Sgt.-Maj. 

O'Donnell,  Cornelius. 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  •     disch. 

April  16,  '63. 

Ochs,  Josiah. 

Jan.    18,  '62 

Deserted  April  21,  '62. 

Peacock,  Eber. 

Mar.  24,  '62 

Disch.  April  22,  '62. 

Rittenhouse,  Miles. 

Oct.    24,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Riley,  Christian. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Died  at  Windmill  Point,  June  23,  '63. 

Spohn,  William. 

Mar.  —  ,  '62 

Disch.  Dec.  18,  '62. 

Snyder,  Jacob. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Prisoner  of  war;  disch.  Feb.,  '63. 

Stamm,  Wm. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Shinn,  Elias. 

Nov.    2,  '61 

No  record. 

Thomas,  Stephen. 

Sep.  25,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Troxle,  C.  A. 

Dec.     9,  '61 

Deserted  May  6,  '62. 

Wheeler,  Jno. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Deserted  April  24,  '62. 

White,  Alex.  H. 

Oct.    14,  '61 

Captured  at  Bull  Run;  to  27th  P.  V., 

Mar.  24,  '63. 

EIG PITY- EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

Company  E,  Recruits. 


255 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

B.  Simpson. 

June     4,  '64 

Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

J.  Dougherty. 

Jan.    25,  '65 

Drafted,  m.  o.  with  Co. 

E.  O'Neill. 

Oct.      4,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

J.  Daly. 

Oct.      8,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

J.  Young. 

Jan.    17,  '65 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Privates. 

Andrews,  G.  C. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute  ;    died  May   29,  '65  ;    grave 

9701,  Arlington  Cem. 

Bryner,  Jos. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Died  Feb.  13,  '65,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Dabney's    Mills;    buried  in   Louden 

Park  Cem.,  Baltimore. 

Bennett,  W. 

Oct.      5,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Burns,  P. 

Oct.     7,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Blanchard,  A.  S. 

Sep.  21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  April  25,  '65. 

Bearington,  T. 

Sep.  20,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  Oct.  29,  '64. 

Davis,  H.  A. 

Sep.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  May  17,  '65. 

Fillinger,  E. 

Aug.  30,  '64 

Substitute  ;  wounded  at  Dabney's  Mills, 

Feb.  7,  '65. 

Hess,  E. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Johnson,  W. 

Feb.   13,  '65 

Substitute;  disch.  July  10,  '65. 

Lundy,  D. 

Feb.  26,  '65 

Drafted;  disch.  May  15,  '65. 

Lewis,  D. 

Feb.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

McDonough,  J. 

Feb.  27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  Mar.  22,  '65. 

McGinnis,  M. 

Oct.      i,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  3,  '65. 

Phillips,  Edw. 

Oct.      5,  '64 

Substitute;    killed  at  Dabney's    Mills, 

Feb.  7,  '65. 

Price,  W.  H. 

Mar.  22,  '65 

Substitute;    died  May  31,  '65;    grave 

2989,  Alexandria  Cem. 

Silberman,  J. 

Aug.    2,  '64 

Substitute;     disch.    June    2,    '65,    for 

wounds. 

Vogle,  S. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Whitlow,  J. 

Oct.      4,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Winters,  M.  R. 

Sep.     3,  '64 

Substitute;  wounded  at  Dabney's  Mills, 

Feb.  7/65. 

Wahls,  J.  S. 

Sep.     5,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Company  F,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Theo.  W.  Dunham. 
J.  Parker  Martin. 

Sep.  16,  '61 
Sep.  16,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  9 
From  ist  Lt., 
8,  '63. 

,'62. 
Oct.  9,  '62;  resigned 

Feb. 

256 


KOSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In.                                        Record. 

Captains. 

Geo.  B.  Rhoads. 

Sep.    18,  '61  'From    ist   Lt.    Co.  B,    April   10,  '63; 

killed  by  a  cannon-ball  at  White  Oak 

Swamp.  June  13,  '63  ;  buried  in  Chas. 

Evans  Cem.,  Reading. 

Richard  B.  Clevinger. 

Aug.  30,  '61  i  From  Sgt.  to  ist  Lt.,  Oct.  17,  '64;  Capt., 

Dec.  28,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wm.  L.  Street. 

Sep.    16,  '61  ;  From  2d  Lt.,  Oct.  9,  '62;  Brevet  Capt., 

Maj.,  and  Col.,  Mar.  13,  '65  ;  wounded 

and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run,  Aug.  30,  '62  ; 

First  Lieutenant**. 

resigned  Feb.  I,  '63. 

Henry  M.  Middleton. 

Sep.      5,  '61  |  From  Sgt.  to   1st  Lt.,  Feb.  I,  '63;  re 

signed  Aug.  14,  '63. 

Matthew  Myers. 

Jan.      2,  '62 

From  Corp.  to    ist  Lt.,  Mar.   18,  '65  ; 

wounded  at   Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with 

Co. 

Atwood  G.  Sinn. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

From  Sgt.   to   1st  Lt.,  Aug.   15,   '63; 

not  must.  ;  killed  at  Petersburg,  June 

Second  Lieutenants. 

18,  '64. 

Wm.  H.  Forbes. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

To  2d  Lt.,  Oct.  9,  '62;  resigned  Jan. 

18,  '63. 

Robert  E.  Cuskaden. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

To  2d  Lt.,  Jan.   18,  '63;  to  Capt.  Co. 

D,  Feb.  17,  '64;  wounded  at  Gettys 

burg. 

Henry  S.  Wade. 

Sep.    16,  '61     From    Sgt.  to   2d    Lt.,  June    16,   '65  ; 

wounded  at  Five  Forks,  April  I,  '65  ; 

Sergeants. 

in.  o.  with  Co. 

Michael  Bright. 

Feb.  29,  '64     1st  Sgt.  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jas.  Cox. 

Sep.      5,  '61  i  ist  Sgt.  ;  wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch. 

Mar.  5,  '63. 

Jno.  M.  Allen. 

Sep.     5,  '61  !  ist  Sgt.;  disch.  Jan.  I,  '62. 

Wm.  H.  Fenlin. 

Sep.      5,  '61  \  1st  Sgt.  ;  wounded,  with  loss  of  leg,  at 

Fredericksburg;    disch.   Sep.  12,  '64, 

exp.  of  term. 

Jos.  Jones. 

Sep.   27,  '61     M.  o.  with  Co. 

Albert  H.  Goodenough. 

Feb.  29,  '64    To  Sgt.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Chas.  M.  Clark.                      Sep.    14,  '61     To  Sgt.,  May  i,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  B.  Woitz. 
Corporals. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  June  6,  '65;  prisoner  at  Get 
tysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

A.  Fenstermacher. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Samuel  Warner. 

Feb.  25,  '64 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65;  on  furlough  at 

m.  o. 

Abraham  Barker. 

Sep.   24,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jno.  Bechtel. 

Sep.   17,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.,  '63;    re-enlisted   Feb.  5, 

'64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Geo.  W.  Achuff. 

Aug.  29,  %6i 

Disch.  Nov.  18,  '61. 

Isaac  L.  Street. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Disch.  May  I,  '62. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


257 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

Geo.  W.  Fortner. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  25,  '62. 

Alf.  Wood. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  I,  '63. 

Jno.  A.  Lackey. 

Sep.      5,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  exp.  of 

term. 

William  H.  Hallman. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.   June 

10,  '65. 

Aug.  Kissinger. 

Feb.  29,  '64 

Wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run  ;  disch.  May 

15/65. 

Harry  B.  Grey. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg  ;  to  V.  R. 

Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Geo.  Schaffer. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

John  H.  Russell. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Musicians. 

Joel  R.  Krick. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Disch.  June  12,  '65. 

Francis  M.  Brooks. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Disch.  July  14,  '62. 

Privates. 

Anderson,  I.  P. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  24,  '62. 

Betzold,  Jno. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Clark,  Jas.  G. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run,  Gettysburg,  and 

Petersburg;   disch.  Sep.  27,  '64,  exp. 

of  term.     Awarded  Medal  of  Honor 

by  War  Dept.    for  bravery  at  Peters 

burg,  June  1  8,  '64. 

Cutler,  John  S. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg;    disch. 

July  13,  '63. 

Dehart,  Henry  M. 

Sep.      i,  '62 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  absent  sick  at 

m.  o. 

De  Haven,  Jno. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

disch.  Dec.  31,  '62. 

Dinkle,  Fred. 

Mar.  30,  '64 

Wounded    at    Hatcher's   Run;    disch. 

June  14,  '65. 

Davis,  David  C. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg;  killed  at 

Spottsylvania,  May  10,  '64;  buried  in 

Nat.  Cem.,  Fredericksburg,  grave  53. 

Eshman,  H. 

Feb.  29,  '64 

Deserted  Jan.  22,  '65. 

Force,  H.  P. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

To  Co.  E,  Jan.  28,  '64. 

Flickinger,  B. 

Feb.  27,  '64 

Died  at  Washington,  June  5,  '64. 

Fry,  C.  M. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Deserted  Sep.  14,  '62. 

Foster,  George  W. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Disch.  April  I,  '63, 

Good,  Samuel. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Disch.  July  5,  '62. 

Glenroy,  Jno. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

Nov.  19,  '63. 

Goodhart,  Jno.  F. 

Mar.     I,  '64 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  June  5,  '64,   of 

wounds  rec'd  at  Spottsylvania  ;  buried 

at  Reading. 

Goodheart,  Benj. 

Feb.  27,  '64 

Captured  ;  died  at  Salisbury,  Feb.  I,  '65. 

17 


ROSTER   OF  THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Griffith,  C. 

Sep.    1  6,  '6  1     Deserted  May  5,  '64. 

Hays,  J.  B. 

Sep.   30,  '61     Disch.  Aug.  14,  '62. 

Hersh,  Adam. 

Sep.    19,  '61     Disch.  Sep.  23,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hampton,  D.  P.                     Sep.    16,  '61     Deserted  June  13,  '62. 

Johnston,  James.                     Sep.    14,  '61     Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull  Run;  to 

V.  R.  Corps,  July  I,  '63. 

Krewson,  Isaac  S. 

Sep.    16,  '61     Prisoner  at  Gettysburg;  absent  sick  at 

m.  o. 

Kram,  Henry 

Sep.    16,  '61  1  Disch.  July  15,  '62. 

Keys,  Alex.                            Sep.   30,  '61 

Disch.  April  14,  '65,  to  date  Dec.  6,  '64. 

Livingstone,  Samuel. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Wounded    at    Gettysburg;    to    V.    R. 

Corps,  Nov.  28,  '63. 

Loudenslager,  R.  H. 

Sep.    13,  '61     Killed  at  Antietam. 

Landell,  Benjamin  F.            Aug.  27,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam. 

Lister,  A. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

No  record. 

Marquardt,  J. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  9,  '62. 

Mervine,  Geo. 

Sep.   26,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Miller,  Jas. 

Sep.      2,  '61 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  July  10,  '64,  of 

wounds  rec'd  at  Spottsylvania. 

Marion,  J. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Deserted  April  4,  '62. 

McCabe,  John. 

Sep.   27,  '61 

Disch.  July  14,  '62. 

Naher,  Chas. 

.    .    .    .  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Nugent,  J. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

To  Co.  D,  Jan.  28,  '64. 

Newton,  Charles  O. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  25,  '63. 

Otto,  Wm.  W. 

Sep.   16,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  12,  '62. 

Poole,  Thomas. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at   Bull   Run  ; 

disch.  Dec.  24,  '62. 

Perry,  Jno. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

To  Quartermaster  Sgt.,  May  5,  '62. 

Read,  Peter. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Rimhe,  Joseph  E. 

Sep.    1  6,  '6  1 

Absent  sick  at  m.  o. 

Remshaird,  F. 

Sep.    14,  '61  '  Disch.  June  18,  '62. 

Roland,  Lewis. 

Sep.    23,  '61     Disch.  Aug.  14,  '62. 

Robbins,  Elisha. 

Aug.  29,  '61     Disch.  Aug.  6,  '62. 

Ristine,  Fred. 

Sep.    16,  '61     Wounded   and    prisoner  at  Bull  Run  ; 

wounded  at  White  Oak  Swamp,  June 

13,  '64;  disch.  Feb.  14,  '65. 

Reitz,  D.  L. 

Mar,  24,  '64    Captured  at  Dabney's  Mills,  Mar.  30, 

'65;  disch.  May  29,  '65. 

Russel,  J.  H. 

.    .    .    .   '61     Deserted  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Small  wood,  John  T. 

Sep.    16,  '61  •  Disch.  April  14,  '62. 

Shuster,  Charles  W. 

Sep.    14,  '61     Disch.  Nov.  28,  '63. 

Simms,  Jno. 

Aug.  29,  '61  ,  Wounded  at  Bull  Run,  with  loss  of  arm; 

disch.  Oct.  10,  '62. 

Scott,  Wm.  H. 

Sep.     7,  '61  |  Disch.  Sep.  7,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Street,  Richard  L. 

Sep.      5,  '61     Disch.  Mar.  4,  '65. 

Sundag,  F. 

May      I,  '64     Disch.  June  15,  '65. 

Smith,  Charles  W. 

Aug.  30,  '61  \  Accidentally  wounded;  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

Dec.  9,  '63. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


259 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Schriner,  Phil. 

Aug.  29,  '6l 

Wounded  and  captured  at  Gettysburg  ; 

* 

to  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  6,  '64. 

Simmons,  William  H. 

.    .    .    .    '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Dec.  24,  '64;  grave 

2969. 

Thibault,  E. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  18,  '61. 

Umback,  A. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  31,  '62. 

Williams,  Jno. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Wounded  and   prisoner  at    Bull  Run; 

wounded  at  Spottsylvania;  absent  sick 

at  m.  o. 

Wallace,  S.  G. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Disch.  May  29,  '62. 

Weber,  J.  W. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

Disch.  June  18,  '62. 

Winn,  Francis. 

Sep.     5,  '61 

Correct  name  Mark  Grigg;  to  Co.  D, 

Feb.  4,  '64. 

Wise,  Albert  G. 

Sep.    16,  '61 

To  Co.  A.,  Feb.  I,  '64. 

Wester,  A.  C. 
Wickline,  Enos. 

Sep.      2,  '61 
Feb.  27,  '64 

To  Quartermaster  Sgt.,  Oct.  I,  '61. 
Died  at  Washington,  July  5,  '64  ;  buried 

in  Nat.  Cem.,  Arlington,  grave  6433. 

White,  W. 

Feb.  22,  '62 

Deserted  April  16,  '62. 

Young,  E.  C. 

Feb.  27,  '64 

Descried  June  17,  '64. 

Company  F,  Recruits. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

H.  O'Neil. 

Oct.      3,  '64     Substitute;   m.  o.  with  Co. 

T.  Smith. 

Oct.      4,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  15,  '65. 

J.  Carothers. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  May  I,  '65. 

Privates. 

Buckland,  T.  J. 

Sep.   26,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Beardslee,  A. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  3,  '65. 

Campman,  F. 

Oct.      3,  '64 

Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Con  way,  N. 

Feb.   16,  '65 

Absent  sick  at  m.  o. 

Connery,  J. 
Dobson,  J. 

Oct.     7,  '64 
Sep.   26,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  9,  '65. 
Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hinchberger,  N. 

Sep.    19,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Man  ion,  M. 

Sep.    26,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Maxwell,  R.  B. 

Sep.   20,  '64 

Dralted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Portmaman,  J. 

Sep.  21,  '64 

Drafted;  deserted  June  10,  '65. 

Schoonover,  G.  W. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Schumela,  J. 

Oct.      7,  '64 

Substitute  ;  sick  at  m.  o. 

Williams,  W.  X. 

Sep.  26,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Warfield,  J.  S. 

Sep.   24,  '64     Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

260 


KOSTEK    CF   THE 

Company  G,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

T  C       T\.  ,11 

Henry  Korn,  Jr. 
Aaron  Bright,  Jr. 
Alex.  S.  Gardiner. 

Wm.  Huber. 

I  1 1  -i  Lieutenant. 
Cyrus  R.  Soder. 

Second  Lieutenant*. 

Walter  S.  Wingate. 

Wm.  Truett. 

Sergeants. 

Wm.  Sands. 


John  M.  Wallace. 


Wm.  Ramich. 
Henry  C.  Betz. 
Reub.  Beldon. 
Lewis  Gale. 
Henry  Hutt. 
C.  A.  J.  Poison. 
Wm.  S.  Eagle. 

Corporals. 

Charles  H.  Mossman. 


A.  W.  Reigert. 


Julius  A.  Hawk. 
Howard  H.  Betz. 
Fred.  Perry. 
Jas.  T.  Reilley. 
Daniel  J.  McLean. 


Feb.  26,  '62    To  Capt.,  Feb.  17,  '64;  disch.  Aug.  20, 

'64. 
Sep.   13,  '61  ;  From  Co.  B,  '64;    to  Capt.,  Dec.  14, 

'64;  to  Field  and  Staff. 
Oct.    30, '62  I  To   Capt.,   Aug.    21,   '64;    not   must.; 

wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;  disch.  Dec.  4, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 
Jan.    14,  '62  i  To    Capt.,  June    14,   '65;    not   must.; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 


Nov.    9, '61     To    1st   Lt.,  June   14,  '65;    not  must.; 
Wounded  at  Bull  Run  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Apr.   14,  '62  j  Wounded  at  Antietam ;  resigned  Nov. 

7,  '62. 
Sep.    17,  '61  1  From  Co.  I,  '64;  2d  Lt.,  June  14,  '65; 

not  must. ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 


Sep.    12,  '61 


Aug.  23,  '61 


Sep.    12, 

July  17. 

Mar.  II, 
Jan.  30, 
Sep.  17, 
Dec.  12, 
Sep.  II, 


'61 
'63 


Mar.  3i,t'62 
Mar.  15,  '62 


From  Principal  Musician  to  1st  Sgt., 
Jan.  31,  '65;  wounded  at  Amelia  C. 
H. ;  disch.  May  31,  '65;  awarded 
Medal  of  Honor  by  War  Dept.  for 
bravery  at  Dabney's  Mills. 

From  Co.  A,  Feb.  6,  '64,  to  Sgt.,  June 
I,  '65;  prisoner  from  Aug.  19,  '64,  to 
Mar.  9,  '65 ;  disch.  June  9,  '65. 

To  Sgt.,  April  I,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

To  Sgt.,  June  I,  '65 ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

To  Sgt.,  June  17,  '65;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Disch.  Nov.  17,  '63. 

Disch.  Dec.  16,  '63. 

Killed  at  Laurel  Hill,  May  8,  '64. 


To  Hosp.  Steward   U.  S.  A.,  May  25, 

'63- 
Deserted  Sep.  13,  '62. 


Feb.  19,  '64  i  M.  o.  with  Co. 

Feb.  18,  '62  i  Disch.  Sep  ,  '62. 

Jan.  22,  '62  I  To  V.  R.  Corps. 

Apr.  4,  '62     Disch.,  date  unknown. 
May     i,  '62     Disch.  Aug.  9,  '62. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


261 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Blackford,  H. 

Apr.  22,  '62 

Deserted  June  14,  '62. 

Cornish,  H. 

Nov.  20,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  29,  '62. 

Carter,  Andrew  J. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  27,  '63. 

Caryell,  T.  R. 

Nov.  20,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Canovan,  Chas. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Nov.  4,  of  wounds 

received  at  Bull  Run. 

Davis,  G.  W. 

Dec.  16,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Erven,  P.  T. 

Apr.     4,  '62 

Disch.  Sep.  23,  '62. 

Ely,  M. 

Mar.  29,  '62 

Deserted  July  I,  62. 

Elmer,  W.  J. 

Dec.  19,  '61 

No  record. 

Ferguson,  J. 

Jan.    30,  '62 

Deserted. 

Ferguson,  Alex. 

Mar.  17,  '62 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill  ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Ferguson,  D.  A. 

Mar.  n,  '62 

Disch.  Aug.  14,  '62. 

Ferkler,  F.  H. 

Apr.   12,  '62 

Disch.  Jan.  14,  '63,  for  wounds. 

Frazier,  D. 

Apr.     9,  '62 

Disch.  Nov.  21,  '62. 

Gardiner,  George  W. 

Mar.  19,  '64 

Captured  at  North  Anna,  May  23,  '64, 

but  recaptured;  on  furlough  at  m.  o. 

Gordon,  James  L. 

Mar.  28,  '62 

Disch.  Mar.  23,  '63. 

Hill,  Jno. 

Dec.     5,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  27,  '63. 

Hill,  Lewis. 

Dec.    3,  '61 

Died  in  camp  near  Sharpsburg,  Oct.  18, 

'62. 

Kite,  Mahlon  M. 

Mar.  14,  '62 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Kurtz,  G.  W. 

Mar.  28,  '62 

Disch    Dec.  n,  '62. 

Krose,  Lewis. 

Jan.    22,  '62 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Sep.  30,  '63. 

Land,  Chas. 

Jan.    18,  '62 

Disch.  Aug.  II,  '62. 

Marks,  C.  S. 

Apr.   II,  '62 

Disch.  Oct.  25,  '62. 

Morris,  H.  C. 

Feb.   10,  '62 

Deserted  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Mundell,  D. 

Apr.   14,  '62 

Deserted  June  15,  '63. 

Mulholland,  G.  W. 

Dec.  16,  '61 

No  record". 

Meader,  E.  S. 

Mar.  17,  '62 

Disch.  Aug.  4,  '62. 

Nice,  John. 

Apr.   12,  '62 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;    disch.  April 

17,  '65- 

Preston,  Jos.  H. 

Mar.     8,  '62 

Disch.  April,  '64,  for  wounds  rec'd  at 

Bull  Run. 

Rodenbush,  P. 

Jan.    28,  '62 

Disch.  July  31,  '62. 

Reagan,  James. 

Mar.  24,  '62 

Disch.  Feb.  7,  '63. 

Storch,  Israel. 

Dec.    9,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  12,  '62. 

Stokes,  Jos.  F. 

Nov.  26,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  19,  '63. 

Scholl,  Griffith  F. 

Apr.     9,  '62 

To  Hosp.  Steward,  U.S.A.,  Feb.  19,  '63. 

Strickland,  H.  T. 

Feb.     5,  '62 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch. 

June  13,  '65. 

Sullivan,  Michael. 
Saulsbury,  T. 

Apr.   15,  '62 
Mar.  28,  '62 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 
Deserted  July  I,  '62. 

Tyler,  George  W. 

Apr.     4,  '62 

Disch.  Jan.  16,  '63. 

Tomlinson,  J. 

Dec.  21,  '61 

Deserted  Mar.  I,  '62. 

Wright,  J. 

Jan.    14,  '62 

Deserted  April  16,  '62. 

Wiant,  Charles. 

Apr.     2,  '62 

No  record. 

Yerger,  Evan  S. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

From  Co.  A  ;  on  detached  service  at  m.  o. 

262 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Company  G,  Recruits. 


Rank.                           Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Sergeant. 

Jos.  F.  Campbell. 

Sep.   20,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  May  17,  '65. 

Corporals. 

X 

J.  W.  Hancock.                     Sep.   10,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

A.  Korn.                                  Sep.   28,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

J.  A.  Patterson.                      Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

D.  Ritter.                                Sep.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

S.  Meals.                                Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Privates. 

Agin,  P.                                  Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  20,  '65. 

Alahaugh,  W.                         Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Bowman,  C.                            Mar.  n,  '65 

Drafted  ;  died  June  3,  '65. 

Brogan,  P.                               Feb.  21,  '65 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Clouse,  C.  II.                         Sep.  26,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  May  II,  '65. 

Englehart,  N.                         Sep.    19,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hitchcock,  J.  A. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  July  17,  '65. 

Hannewell,  N. 

Sep.     6,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hiles,  Jonathan. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  died  May  25,  '65. 

Kissler,  J. 

Sep.   26,  '64 

Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Kepple,  J. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  May  19,  '65. 

Martin,  R. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Morgle,  H. 

Sep.   28,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  21,  '65. 

Nankan,  A. 

Sep.   26,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  May  23,  '65. 

Painter,  L. 

Sep.    17,  '64 

Substitute;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Roland,  J.  A. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Rymer,  T. 

Sep.   26,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Sickler,  W. 

Aug.  1  8,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Stricklin,  J.  A. 

Sep.   20,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Shackley,  A.  B. 
Smith,  J.  R. 

Sep.   27,  '64 
Sep.   26,  '64 

Substitute  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 
Drafted;  disch.  May  3  1,  '65,  for  wounds. 

Snooks,  L. 

Sep.   26,  '64     Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Taylor,  J. 

Jan.      4,  '65     Drafted  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Thompson,  J. 

Sep.   20,  '64  !  Drafted  ;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Weber,  L. 

Sep.   20,  '64  i  Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Warren,  A.                             Sep.    20,  '64     Drafted;  disch.  June  lo,  '65. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

Company  H,  Recruited  in  Reading. 


263 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

David  A.  Griffith. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

To  Maj.,  Sep.  I,  '62. 

Frank  B.  Shakers,  Jr. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

From  2d  to  ist  Lt.,  May  7,  '62;  Capt., 

Sep.    I,   '62;    wounded   at   Antietam 

and    Fredericksburg  ;    resigned  April 

!    i°>  '63. 

Jacob  Houder. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

To  2d  Lt.,  Dec.  31,  '62;   Capt.,  Feb. 

17,  '64;  killed  Aug.  19,  '64,  on  Wei- 

don  R.  R. 

Jos.  H.  Lawrence. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  April  9,  '64;  Capt.,  Oct.  17, 

'64;  absent  at  m.  o. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Geo.  W.  Rapp. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Resigned  May  7,  '62. 

Henry  E.  Quimby. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To   ist   Lt.,  Sep.    I,  '62;    wounded  at 

Antietam;  resigned  Oct.  20,  '63. 

Jas.  McChaliker. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  ist  Lt.,  Jan.  I,  '65;  prisoner 

at  Gettysburg  ;  wounded  at  Petersburg, 

June  18,  '64;  disch.  May  15,  '65. 

Jeff.  Good. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

From  Sgt.  to  2d  Lt.  ;  to  ist  Lt.,  May  16, 

'65  ;  not  must.  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Jas.  C.  Pettit. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To  2d  Lt.,  May  7,  '62;  resigned  Dec. 

31,  '62. 

John  Witmoyer. 

Sep.     6,  '61 

To   2d  Lt.,  May  16,  '65  ;    not  must.  ; 

wounded  at  Bull  Run  and  Antietam  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Sergeants. 

Geo.  W.  Hain. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

To  Sgt.,  May  i,  '65  ;  wounded  in  Wil 

derness;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jno.  K.  Wesner. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  May  I,  '65;  wounded;  m.  o. 

with  Co. 

Reuben  Drexle. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

To  Sgt,  June  15,  '65  ;  wounded  in  Wil 

derness;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Henry  J.  Rutz. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Wounded    at   Laurel    Hill  ;    absent   in 

hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Benner  Humma. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.,  date  un 

known. 

Samuel  Husk. 

Aug.  20,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  '62. 

Wm.  M.  Krick. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.,  date  un 

known. 

Johnston  Flack. 

Sep.   27,  '61 

Wounded    at    Gettysburg;    to.    V.    R. 

Corps,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Thos.  R.  Hartman. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Died  of  wounds,  June  6,  '65  ;  buried  at 

Arlington  Nat.  Cem. 

Jas.  M.  Thompson. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

Died  Nov.  16,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Antietam. 

264 


XOS7~£A>    OF   77/£ 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Corporals. 

Isaac  Fields. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To  Corp.,  May  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jos.  R.  Smith. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

To    Corp.,    May   I,    '65;    wounded   at 

Rappahannock,  Aug.  22,  '62  ;   m.  o. 

with  Co. 

E.  D.  Kerst. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To  Quartermaster-Sgt.,  Feb.  28,  '65. 

Joel  R.  Krick. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

To  Co.  F. 

Musicians. 

Mayberry  Dautrich. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Prisoner  at  Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Danl.  Kissinger. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Wounded    at    Antietam  ;     prisoner    at 

Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

L    T»  ^nohn 

No  record. 

Jno/Bell. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Disch.  May  8,  '63. 

Privates. 

Abel,  Emanuel. 

Sep.   17,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  17,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Albright,  Jno. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  19,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Bechtel,  Jno.  A. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Bord,  J.  C. 

Aug.  31,  '6  1 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Boardy,  G.  A. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Deserted  Sep.  6,  '62. 

Bland,  R. 

Sep.    u,'6i 

Disch.  Jan.  20,  '62. 

Breidegam,  Daniel. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.    May 

14,  '65,  for  wounds. 

Bixenstine,  Wm. 

Sep.    10,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.   Sep. 

10,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Boyer,  Aaron  S. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  4,  '63. 

Bosler,  Geo. 

Feb.  26,  '64 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;  disch  June 

14,  '65- 

Bosler,  Henry. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  30,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Burkhart,  Cyrus. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Transf.,date  unknown. 

Brittain,  Jno.  H. 

Oct.     3,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam  ;  buried  in    Chas. 

Evans  Cem.,  Reading. 

Becker,  Jos. 

Mar.     i,  '64 

Died  June   15,  '64,  of  wounds;  buried 

in  Wilderness  Cem. 

Carey,  Wm. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Prisoner  from  Aug.  19,  '64,  to  Feb.  24, 

'65;  disch.  May  15,  '65. 

Call,  Henry  W. 

Sep.   13,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Diehm,  Charles  F. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  27,  '63. 

Dorsey,  D. 

Apr.  23,  '64 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Dautrich,  Alfred. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Captured    at    Bull    Run;     disch.     for 

wounds,  May  14,  '65. 

Debord,  J. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  23,  '62. 

Eckert,  Daniel. 

Sep.   13,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Eddinger,  Harrison. 

Sep.    4,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  14,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Ely,  D.  E. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  12,  '63. 

Fabian,  J. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

Frill,  Henry. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.,  date  unknown. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


265 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Ferner,  Fred. 

Sep.    ii,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Green,  Wm. 

Disch.  May  4,  '63. 

Goodheart,  Joel  R. 

Sep.  26,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  29,  '62. 

Gorman,  Israel  K. 

Sep.   13,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  13,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Good,  Celestine. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Sep.  4, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hutchinson,  Wm. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Wounded  and  prisoner  at  Bull   Run  ; 

prisoner  from  Aug.   19,  '64,  to   Feb. 

23>  '65;  disch.  Mar.  31,  '65,  exp.  of 

term. 

Hafer,  Wm. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Died  of  wounds  rec'd  in  battle. 

Hefner,  Jno. 

Mar.  22,  '64 

Died  June  17,  '64. 

Hawk,  Chas. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Died    Feb.    27,   '62;    buried  in  Alex 

andria  Cem.,  grave  26. 

Hinnershitz,  James  H. 

Sep.     5,  '6  1 

Killed  at  Antietam  ;  buried  in  Alsace 

Cem.,  Reading. 

Humma,  Lewis. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Died  Jan.  20,  '63,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Bull  Run;  buried  in  Alexandria  Cem., 

grave  696. 

Holt,  Edward. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  May  16,  '62. 

Heller,  Franklin. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

Captured     at     Fredericksburg  ;     disch. 

Sep.  10,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

High,  Jas.  A. 

Sep.    n,  '61 

Transf.  to  U.  S.  A. 

Harbold,  H.  A. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Fredericksburg;  to  V.  R. 

Corps,  Nov.,  '63. 

Herman,  Jno.  F. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Wounded    in    Wilderness;    to   V.    R. 

Corps. 

Hepp,  H.  R. 

Nov.  23,  '61 

Deserted  April  26,  '62. 

Hoffman,  J. 

Dec.     7,  '61 

Deserted  April  22,  '62. 

Hoffman,  J.  W. 

Sep.   n,  '61 

To  Co.  A. 

Koch,  Orlando. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Sep.  17,  '63. 

Krebs,  Jno. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Lawrence,  Win. 

Sep.   ii,  '61 

Disch.  May  19,  '62. 

Myers,  Joseph. 

Sep.     3,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  killed  at  Spott- 

sylvania;    buried   in    Fredericksburg 

Cem.,  grave  187. 

Miller,  David. 
McCombs,  Thos. 

Sep.    10,  '6  1 
Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  2,  '63. 
Disch.  May  16,  '62. 

McClellan,  Alex. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  June  14,  '65. 

McChaliker,  David. 

Dec.    9,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  19,  '62. 

McClellan,  Jas. 

Mtir.     I,  '64 

To  V.  R.  Corps. 

Parker,  Erastus. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Peoples,  Jas. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    disch.   Sep. 

21,  '64. 

Reigel,  Lewis. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Disch.  May  20,  '63,  for  wounds. 

Ruhl,  Jno. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg  ;  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

March  16,  '64. 

Ringler,  Mark. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

266 


A' OS TER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Reigel,  Jonathan. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  Aug.  22,  '62  ;  died  June  26, 

'64,  of  wounds;   buried  at  Arlington 

Cem. 

Roth,  Henry. 

Aug.  24,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    killed  June 

1  8,  '64,  at  Petersburg. 

Rhoads,  Henry. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;    killed  June 

1  8,  '64,  at  Petersburg. 

Rightmeyer,  W. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  31,  '62. 

Swavely,  Matt. 

Feb.  25,  '64 

Wounded;  disch.  July  3,  '65. 

Swavely,  Frank. 

Sep.    13,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  and  exchanged  ; 

captured;  killed  at  Salisbury,  Jan.  12, 

'65- 

Simons,  Robert. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Killed  at  Gettysburg. 

Shaw,  Enoch. 

Sep.  10,  '61 

Captured  and  died  at  Salisbury,  Feb.  8, 

'65- 

Shule,  And. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  May  6,  '62. 

Staunton,  Jno. 

Sep.     4,  '6l 

Disch.  May  16,  '62. 

Sailor,  Jos. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  2,  '62. 

Seiders,  W.  W. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  20,  '63. 

Stine,  Jno. 

Aug.  30,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  20,  '63. 

Spicke'r,  Wm. 

Sep.     4,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  4,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Springer,  Jos. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Sep.  29,  '63. 

Tinney,  Wm. 

Oct.      I,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  14,  '62. 

Wise,  William  A. 

Mar    16,  '64 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Oct.  17,  '64. 

Whitman,  Adam  B. 

Sep.   10,  '61 

Died  Dec.  18,  '62,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Weiser,  Jonathan. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Fredericksburg. 
Died  May  12,  '64,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Spottsylvania  ;    buried  in  Fredericks- 

burg  Cem.,  grave  56. 

Wolf,  Peter. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Died  June  20,  '64,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Petersburg. 

Youse,  G.  D. 

Aug.  30,  '6  1 

Deserted  Aug.  31,  '62. 

Company  H,  Recruits. 


Rank. 


Mustered  In. 


Corporals. 

J.  P.  Clury. 

Aug.  12,  '64 

Substitutl  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

G.  Lape. 

Sep.   24,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

J.  F.  Sprang. 

Oct.     5,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Privates. 

Flanders,  A.  H. 

Oct.     5,  '64 

Drafted  ;  prisoner,  Mar.  31,  '65  ;  disch. 

Gloak,  G. 

Aug.  15,  '64 

May  27,  '65. 
Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Record. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


267 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Hockrine,  J. 

Sep.   27/64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Heinrich,  C. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hartman,  W. 

Sep.  26,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  7,  '65. 

Kuhn,  C. 

Oct.    25,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Maloney,  J. 

Oct.     6,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Oney,  C.  B. 

Sep.  22,  '64 

Substitute;   disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Piper,  J. 

July    n,  '64 

Drafted  ;  absent  at  m.  o. 

Rudy,  J. 

Oct.      3,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  May  26,  '65. 

Roberts,  W. 

Oct.      6,  '64 

Drafted;   disch.  May  12,  '65. 

Steinbach,  H. 

Oct.      5,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Scharff,  J. 

Aug.  30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Umbacher,  B. 

Sep.   25,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Volkir,  Michael. 

Sep.     9,  '64 

Substitute  ;  died  Feb.  6,  '65,  of  wounds. 

Wonderlick,  C. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Wise,  G. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Company  I,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia. 


Rank. 


Mustered  In. 


Record. 


Captains. 

J.  Reeside  White. 
Jacob  S.  Stretch. 

Wm.  J.  Harkisheimer. 


Geo.  L.  Schell. 


Henry  T.  Copestick. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Chas.  W.  Nunneville. 

Harry  O'Niel. 
Henry  D.  Evans. 


Sep.    23,  '61     Resigned  June  17,  '62. 

Sep.  23, '61  From  1st  Lt.,  June  17,  '62;  wounded 
at  Bull  Run;  resigned  Nov.  II,  '62. 

Sep.  23,  '61  From  2d  to  1st  Lt.,  June  17,  '62;  Capt., 
Nov.  n,  '62;  injured  in  groin  at  battle 
of  Fredericksburg ;  resigned  Jan.  I, 
'63;  Brevet  Maj.,  July,  '65. 

Sep.  24,  '61  To  2d  Lt.,  June  17,  '62;  ist  Lt.,  Nov. 
11,  '62;  Capt.,  Jan.  I,  '63;  captured 
at  Gettysburg,  and  prisoner  until  Mar., 
'65;  disch.  April  28,  '65. 

Oct.  4,  '61  From  1st  Sgt.  to  Capt.,  June  14,  '65; 
not  must.;  captured  at  Spottsylvania ; 
m.  o.  with  Co. 

Sep.    19,  '61     To  ist  Lt.,  Jan.  1/63;  disch.,  Oct.  20, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 
Aug.  29,  '61     From  Quartermaster  Sgt.,  Jan.   2,  '65 ; 

disch.  for  wounds,  June  14,  '65. 
Sep.    17,  '61     To   ist  Lt.,  June    13,  '65  ;    not  must. ; 

wounded  at  Laurel  Hill ;  m.  o.  with 

Co. 


268 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In.                                        Record. 

Second  Lieutenant**. 

Chas.  Murtha. 

Sep.   21,  '61     To  2d  Lt.,  Nov.  11,  '62;   disch.  Feb. 

1  8,  '63. 

Eldridge  E.  Levan. 

Sep.    13,  '61     To   2d   Lt.,   April    10,  '64;    dis.  Jan. 

3'.  '65- 

Jas.  K.  Shelcup. 

Sep.   21,  '61     To  2d   Lt.,  June    13,  '65;    not  must.; 

captured  at  Gettysburg;   wounded  at 

Spottsylvania;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

S<    1  i;,    .mix 

Morris  Robbins. 

Sep.    21,  ?6i     Captured  on  Weldon  R.  R.,  Aug.   19, 

'64,  and  prisoner  until  Feb.  28,  '65  ; 

disch.  June  14,  '65. 

Saml.  C.  Fusman. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania;  m.  o.  with 

Co. 

Reuben  B.  Sanders. 

Sep.   21,  '6  1 

To  Sgt.,  June  14,  '65;  wounded  at  Bull 

Run;  captured  at  Gettysburg;   m.  o. 

with  Co. 

Jno.  Nuskey. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Mar.  7,  '64. 

Corporals. 

Wm.  W.  Perkenpine. 

Sep.   20,  '61 

To  Corp.,  June  I,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wm.  A.  Boyd. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Wounded   at  Antietam  and   Hatcher's 

Run;  captured  at  Gettysburg;  in  hosp. 

at  m.  o. 

Geo.  W.  Mulfray. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  i,  '62. 

David  Gillmore. 

Sep.   24,  '61 

Regimental  Mail  Carrier;   disch.  Mar. 

7,  '64. 

Thos.  H.  Anderson. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill  and  Boydton 

plank  road;  disch.  June  16,  '65. 

Hugh  Rutherford. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  15,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Nathan  S.  Auble. 

Jan.      i,  '62 

Captured    at  Gettysburg  ;    wounded   at 

Spottsylvania;  disch.  June  13,  '65. 

Robert  Jones. 

Dec.  13,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

William  Rose. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Killed  at  Fredericksburg. 

Musicians. 

Jno.  F.  Keller. 

Jan.      i,  '62 

To  Principal  Musician,  Feb.  28,  '65. 

Wm.  P.  Hand. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jno.  H.  Snyder. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  30,  '62. 

Private*. 

Armstrong,  Thos. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  4,  '62. 

Arnot,  David  Gail. 

Sep.   17,  '61 

Killed  at  Spottsylvania. 

Boyer,  Joseph. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Killed  at  Fredericksburg. 

Baurmaster,  H. 

Sep.   21,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  3,  '62. 

Beiderman,  Wm.  B. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  30,  '62. 

Bagley,  Wm.  H. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  n,  '63. 

Barrett,  Wm.  P. 

Feb.  15,  '64 

Disch.  June  15,  '65. 

Conlogue,  Patrick. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


269 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Campbell,  Jno. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  i,  '62. 

Carter,  Jno. 

Sep.   18,  '61 

Disch.  June  12,  '63. 

Cowan,  Gilbert. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Feb.  11, 

'63- 

Dunbar,  Jno. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  25,  '62. 

Durfer,  H.  C. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

To  Co.  K,  Feb.  6,  '64. 

Drexler,  David. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Captured  at  Bull  Run;  died  at  Phila 

delphia,  Sep.  5,  '64. 

Dan  field,  Wm.  A. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Disch.  June  27,  '67,  to  date  June  30, 

'65. 

Foley,  Jno. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Soldier  in  War  of  1812-15  ;  disch.  Mar. 

!3>  '63- 

Garwood,  Thos. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Disch.  Mar.  13,  '63. 

Harland,  David. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  '63. 

Hilson,  Chas. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Dec.  3,  '62  ;  buried 

in  Alexandria  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  558. 

Hand,  Jos.  H. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

To  V.  R.  Corps,  Feb.  n,  '64. 

Hart,  Jno. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg  i  to  V.  R.  Corps, 

Mar.  9,  '64. 

Jefferies,  Samuel  J. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  12,  '62. 

Johnston,  Wm. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Deserted  June  24,  '62. 

Keyser,  Jno. 

Mar.  18,  '62 

Died  at  Washington,  June  23,  '62. 

Link,  Jno. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  killed  at  Gettys 

burg,  July  3,  '63. 

Levan,  Edw.  F. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  18,  '61. 

Lehman,  Daniel  J. 

Sep.   20,  '6  1 

Disch.  June  18,  '62. 

Lewis,  Geo.  Connor. 

Sep.  22,  '61 

Died  at  Alexandria,  Jan.  23,  '63  ;  buried 

in  Lafayette  Cem.,  Philadelphia. 

Learmont,  And. 

Sep.   24,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  April  20, 

'63. 

Miller,  Jas.  S. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Captured  on  Weldon  R.  R.  ;  absent  at 

m.  o. 

Miller,  Chas.  R. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Feb.  16, 

'63. 

Moore,  Geo.  W. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  16,  '61. 

Manypenny,  Lewis  R. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  29,  '62,  for  wounds  rec'd 

at  Antietam. 

Moran,  Barnet. 

Sep.   21,  '61 

Leg  accidentally  broken  ;    disch.   May 

21,  '62. 

MacNichol,  Summerfield  J. 

Sep.  20,  '61 

Killed  at  Antietam. 

McGinley,  Joseph  E. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Absent  in  hosp.  at  m.  o. 

McCleary,  George  R.  C. 

Sep.    iS,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Feb.  28, 

'63- 

McCoy,  Chas.  J. 

Sep.    19,  '61    Wounded  at  Bull  Run;  disch.  Mar.  14, 

'63. 

Me  Learn,  Wm. 

Sep.    1  8,  '61     To  V.  R.  Corps,  April  28,  '64. 

McCrudclen,  Thos. 

Feb.  22,  '64    Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;  in  hosp.  at 

m.  o. 

270 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

McCormick,  John. 

Sep.   21,  '61 

Captured  on  Weldon  R.  R.;  disch.  Aug. 

14,  '65- 

Nette,  Chas. 

Sep.   24,  '61 

Killed  at  Spottsylvania,  May  10,  '64; 

buried  in  Nat.  Cem.,  Fredericksburg, 

grave  48. 

Nunneville,  Edward  D. 

Sep.    19,  '61     Regimental  Armorer;    disch.   Sep.   19, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Nunneville,  George  W. 

Sep.    19,  '61     Disch.  June  12,  '62. 

Newell,  Daniel. 

Oct.      4,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  u,  '63. 

Neill,  Thos.  B. 

Sep.   —  ,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill;  disch.  June 

!5>  '65- 

Perara,  Jas. 

Aug.  28,  '61 

Disch.    Aug.    28,    '64,    in    field    before 

Petersburg,  exp.  of  term. 

Rutherford,  Jos. 

Sep.    i  8,  '6  i 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Rutherford,  Jno.  C. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Feb.  20, 

'63- 

Riley,  Clem.  S. 

Sep.    10,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  3,  '62. 

Richardson,  Jas.  H. 

Sep.    19,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;  disch.  June 

!3»  '65- 

Renz,  Dietrich. 

Sep.    27/64 

Died  Nov.  30,  '64;    buried  in   Poplar 

Grove  Cem.,  grave  22. 

Sturges,  Edw. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Died  at  Frederick,  July  24,  '63. 

Stretch,  G.  O. 

Sep.     7,  '61 

Wounded  at  Laurel  Hill  ;   in  hosp.  at 

m.  o. 

Stretch,  Wm.  W. 

Apr.      I,  '62 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch. 

April  22,  '65,  exp.  of  term. 

Shaw,  Frank. 

Sep.    17,  '61 

Disch.  June  10,  '63. 

Truett,  Wm. 

Sep.   17,  '61 

Captured    at   Gettysburg;    to   Co.    G., 

Feb.  6,  '64. 

Tyson,  Jesse. 

Sep.    19,  '6  1 

Killed    at   Antietam  ;    buried   in    Nat. 

Cem.,  grave  75. 

Thomas,  Samuel. 

Sep.   20,  '6  1 

Died  at  Alexandria,  July  27,  '64  ;  buried 

in  Alexandria  Nat.  Cem.,  grave  2463. 

Vautier,  Jno.  D. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  '64; 

disch.    Sep.    19,   '64,   in    field    before 

Petersburg,  exp.  of  term. 

Vansant,  Jas. 

Aug.     i,  '62 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  deserted  Sep. 

18,  '63. 

Wright,  Jas.  M. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  4,  '62. 

White,  Nathan  S. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  killed  at  Fred 

ericksburg. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

Company  I,  Recruits. 


271 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Baker,  Wm. 

Sep.   20,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  lo,  '65. 

Boyer,  J. 

Sep.    21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  23.  '65. 

Baush,  J. 

Aug.  n,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  July  5,  '65. 

Dougherty,  J. 

Jan.    26,  '65 

Wounded  at  Five  Forks  ;    disch 

.  June 

10,  '65. 

Devlin,  L. 

Sep.      5,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Foil,  J. 

Mar.  27,  '65 

Drafted;  died  May  30,  '65. 

Fox,  J. 

Aug.  29,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Gleeson,  W. 

Sep.   20,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Henderson,  B. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Hamil.J. 

Sep.     5,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Herald,  T. 

Aug.  22,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  15,  '65. 

Irwin,  W. 

Sep.  21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Jordan,  J. 

Sep.  22,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  Feb.  6,  '65. 

Kerin,  T. 

Sep.    22,  '64 

Drafted  ;  wounded  Feb.  6,  '65  ; 

disch. 

June  30,  '65. 

Laddons,  W. 

Aug.  20,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Monroe,  Francis. 

Oct.      4,  '64 

Substitute;  killed  Feb.  7,  '65. 

Monroe,  F. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Miller,  J. 

Sep.    27,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

McEntyre,  E. 

Oct.     4,  '64 

Substitute;  sick  at  m.  o. 

McNamara,  J. 

Sep.   21,  '64 

Drafted;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Nelson,  J. 

Sep.   24,  '64    Drafted;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Roberts,"  R. 

Aug.  30,  '64 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Vallaly,  J. 

Oct.      5,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Wilcox,  B. 

Aug.  21,  '64 

Substitute;  prisoner  from  Dec.  II,  '64, 

to  Feb.  5,  65  ;  disch.  June  15, 

'65. 

Company  K,  Recruited  in  Philadelphia. 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Wm.  F.  Powell. 

Syl.  S.  Bookhammer. 

Edmund  Y.  Patterson. 
Sylvester  H.  Martin. 

Oct.  6,  '61 
Oct.  5,  '61 

Oct.  5,  '61 
Sep.  14,  '61 

Resigned  June  16,  '62. 
To  Capt.,  June  17,  '62;  wounded  at  Bull 
Run;  disch.  Nov.  II,  '62. 
To  Capt.,  Nov.  n,  '62;  wounded  at  Bull 
Run;   disch.  Feb.  13,  '65. 
To  2d  Lt.,  Nov.  11,  '62;   ist  Lt.,  Feb. 
25,  '63  ;  Capt.,  Jan.  30,  '65  ;  not  must.  ; 
wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  June  9, 
'65,  for  wounds    rec'd  at    Hatcher's 
Run  ;  awarded  a  Medal  of  Honor  by 
War   Dept.  for   bravery   on    Weldon 
R.  R.,  Aug.,  '64. 

272 


ROSTER    OF  THE 


Rank.                           Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Captains. 

Chas.  McKnight.                   Sep.  30,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  June  9,  '65  ;  Capt.,  June  14, 

'65  ;  not  must.  ;  wounded  at  Bull  Run  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Robert  L.  Cams.                   Aug.  28,  '61 

To  2d  Lt.,  June  17,  '62;   1st  Lt.,  Nov. 

n,  '62;  resigned  Feb.  2,  '63. 

Daniel  Linsenbigler.           \  Sep.   30,  '61 

To  ist  Lt.,  June   14,  '65  ;    not  must.  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Jno.  O.  Hanlon.                    Aug.  23,  '61 

To  2d  Lt.,  May  I,  '63;    dis.  July  22, 

'64. 

Chas.  C.  Lambert.                  Oct.      I,  '61 

To  2d  Lt.,  June  14,  '65;    not   must.; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

Sergeants. 

Cyrus  S.  Detre. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

;  To  Adj.,  Dec.  14,  '62.     (See  Field  and 

Staff.) 

Harry  O'Niel.                        Aug.  29,  '61 

Captured    at    Gettysburg;    to    Quarter 

master  Sgt.  Nov.  I,  '64. 

Jas.  Peoples.                           Sep.     3,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  June  9,  '65  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Chas.  H.  Marple.                  Sep.   20,  '61 

To  Sgt.,  June  9,  '65  ;  captured  at  Get 

tysburg  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Jos.  Sergeant. 

Sep.    18,  '61 

WTounded  at  Antietam,  ball  remaining 

in  left  breast,  and  at   Spottsylvania  ; 

m.  o.  June  30,  '65. 

Theo.  W.  Griffin. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  Sep.  9,  '62. 

Uriah  Fraley. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  ball  through 

1 

left  lung;  disch.  Nov.  21,  '63. 

Daniel  Devine. 

Sep.   18,  '61 

Disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Benj.  B.  Pugh. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Died  at  Philadelphia,  Sep.  28,  '63. 

Albert  Van  Dyke. 

Aug.  27,  '61 

Killed  at  Bull  Run. 

Corporals. 

Daniel  Kinsley. 

Aug.  29,  '61 

Wounded  May  3,  '63  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Hugh  McMullin. 

Sep.    n,'6i 

Wounded  June  3,  '64;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

David  Miller. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Robt.  Wallace. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

\Voumled  at  Gettysburg;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

John  McKee. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;  disch.  June 

I,  '65- 

Gideon  Moyer. 

Oct.     2,  *6l 

Disch.  Oct.  2,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Arch.  Campbell. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Disch.  June  28,  '63. 

Alex.  Peoples. 

Sep.   27,  '61 

Died  at  Annapolis,  Oct.  21,  '64. 

G.  W.  Chatham. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Deserted  Dec.  13,  '62. 

Jno.  Valentine. 

Feb.  24,  '64 

Wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  '64  ; 

m.  o.  with  Co. 

W.  Boocock  Threapleton. 

Mar.  14,  '64 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania;  m.  o.  with 

Co. 

Lorenzo  F.  Wilson. 

Aug.  29,  '6  1 

Color   Corp.;     wounded    at    Antietam, 

with  loss  of  left  leg;  disch.  Jan.  16, 

'63- 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


273 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record, 

Corporals. 

Davison  Young. 

Mar.  15,  '64 

To  Corp.,  June  9,  '65  ;'m.  o.  with  Co. 

Samuel  Sherlock. 

Dec.  12,  '61 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch., 

date  unknown. 

Musicians. 

E.  A.  Winnemore. 

Sep.     2,  '61 

Captured  at  Gettysburg;  disch.  Jan.  12, 

'65- 

Wilson  Bell. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  19,  '63. 

Geo.  W.  Gilligan. 

Feb.     6,  '65 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Samuel  Martin. 

Feb.  20,  '64 

Absent  on  furlough  at  m.  o. 

Privates. 

Ayers,  Robert  B. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Disch.  May  28,  '62. 

Boocock,  Jas.  L. 

Mar.  10,  '64 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Burbridge,  Chas. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

Wounded  at  Spottsylvania  ;  disch.,  date 

unknown. 

Burroughs,  Thos.  L. 

Oct.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Jan.  23,  '65. 

Clickett,  Patrick. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

Wounded  in  Wilderness  and  injured  by 

falling  tree  on  Weldon  R.  R.;  m.  o. 

with  Co. 

Campbell,  Jas.  S. 

Feb.  26,  '64 

Wounded  Mar.  31,  '65;  disch.  June  3, 

'65. 

Cahall,  John. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Mar.  12, 

'63- 

Callahan,  D.  F. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  Feb.   19,  '63,  captured  at  Bull 

Run. 

Clark,  Wm.  P. 

Sep.  30,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Sep.  30, 

'64,  exp.  of  term. 

Cooper,  Jno. 

Oct.   20,  '6  1 

Disch.  Dec.  9,  '62. 

Conover,  Michael. 

Sep.  28,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg  ; 

disch.  Dec.  4,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Corn,  John. 

Nov.  30,  '61 

Died  Aug.  9,  '63,  of  wounds  rec'd  at 

Gettysburg  ;  buried  at  Mount  Moriah, 

Philadelphia. 

Devine,  Edw. 

Oct.     9,  '61 

Disch.  Nov.  II,  '62. 

Durfer,  Henry  C. 

Sep.   19,  '61 

From  Co.  I,  Feb.  6,  '64;  prisoner  from 

Aug.    19,  '64,   to   April,  '65  ;   disch. 

June  15,  '65. 

Dougherty,  William. 

Sep.   30,  '6  1 

Disch.  Nov.  21,  '62. 

Devine,  Neal. 

Sep.    13,  '62 

Captured   at  Gettysburg;    wounded  in 

Wilderness;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Duswald,  J.  J. 

Oct.     4,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam  ;  disch.  Mar.  6, 

'63. 

Doyle,  Jas. 

Sep.  27,  '61 

Missing  in  action,  Aug.  19,  '64. 

Flemmmg,  Jno. 

Sep.    18,  '62 

Wounded    at    Fredericksburg  ;    disch. 

Mar.  7,  '64. 

Finn,  Patrick. 

Sep.   12,  '61 

Disch.  June  8,  '62. 

Fin  ley,  Wm.  Jno. 

Sep.   18,  '61 

Wounded  June   18,  '64;    Disch.   June 

10,  '65. 

iS 


274 


ROSTER    OF   THE 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Private**. 

Gracey,  Thomas. 

Oct.       I,'6l 

Disch.  June  8,  '62. 

Grow,  William  B. 

Sep.   25,  '61 

Disch.  July  17,  '62. 

Gallagher,  William. 

Oct.    14,  '61 

Disch.  on  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  Jan. 

4,  '63- 

Gallagher,  James. 

Sep.    17,  '6  1 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  transf.  to  V. 

R.  Corps,  Feb.  24,  '64. 

Groom,  E.  A. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Deserted"  Aug.  29,  '62. 

Heist,  Geo.  W. 

Sep.   26,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  absent  sick  at 

m.  o. 

Hutchinson.  Isaac. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Disch.  May  30,  '65,  exp.  of  term. 

Hoagland,  Jos. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Disch.  July  30,  '62. 

Hicken,  Wash. 

Oct.      i,'6i 

Disch.  Oct.  29,  '62. 

Hackett,  Wm.  W. 

Sep.   28,  '61 

Wounded  at  Antietam;  disch.  Feb.  16, 

'63- 

Hanaman,  Jos.  W. 

Sep.   30,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  7,  '64,  exp.  of  term. 

Hallman,  Thos. 

Sep.   27,  '61 

Died  at  Washington,  Sep.,  '62. 

Hardinger,  Simon. 

Oct.      2,  '61 

Died    at    Alexandria,   Sep.    2,   '62,  of 

wounds  rec'd  at  Bull  Run. 

Kombs,  E. 

Sep.   25,  '61 

Deserted  Aug.  i,  '62. 

Kibler,  Jno. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Deserted  Sep.  14,  '62. 

Miller,  Jno. 

Sep.    1  8,  '62 

Disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Miller,  Adolph. 

Oct.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  20,  '62. 

Miller,  Robt. 

Sep.   27.  '61 

Disch.  Feb.  4,  '63. 

Mills,  Saml. 

Aug.  23,  '61 

Disch.  June  14,  '63. 

McKee,  Patrick. 

Sep.    12,  '61 

Disch.  June  8,  '62. 

McEhvee,  Jno. 

Sep.    14,  '6  1 

Disch.  Dec.  24,  '62. 

McGlinchey,  T. 

Sep.  25,  ?6i 

Deserted  Sep.  14,  '62. 

Newcomb,  Isaac. 

Sep.   20,  '61 

Disch.  July  30,  '62. 

Pope,  John. 

Aug.  23,  '6  1 

Disch.   Oct.  8,  '62;    re-enlisted    Feb. 

20,  '64;  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Jan.  9,  '65; 

disch.  Oct.  2,  '65. 

Patterson,  W.  H. 

Sep.   14,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  10,  '62. 

Risley,  Thomas. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

Disch.  July  3,  '62. 

Raider,  Wm. 

Oct.     2,  '61 

Killed  at  Spottsylvania. 

Stork,  Fred. 

Sep.    14,  '61 

M.  o.  with  Co. 

Small,  Chas. 

Mar.     i,  '64 

Wounded  at  Five   Forks  ;    m.  o.  with 

Co. 

Sickles,  Jno.  W. 

Sep.   24,  '61 

Disch.  Aug.  6,  '62. 

Sinkinson,  R. 

Sep.   25,  '61  |  Disch.  Sep.,  '62. 

Seads,  Jacob  M. 

Sep.   29,  '61 

Disch.  Oct.  25,  '62. 

Stauffer,  Henry  K. 

Oct.     3,  '61 

Disch.  Dec.  9,  '62. 

Winnemore,  Wm. 

Sep.     2,  '6l 

Disch.  July  2,  '62  ;  re-enlisted,  and  m.  o. 

with  Co. 

Walton,  Jesse. 

Oct.      i,  '61 

Deserted  June  19,  '63. 

Whitehouse,  Charles. 

Sep.   23,  '61 

Wounded  at  Bethesda   Church  ;   m.  o. 

with  Co. 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 

Company  K,  Recruits. 


275 


Rank. 

Mustered  In. 

Record. 

Privates. 

Anderson,  J. 

Sep.      I,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Crispin,  W. 

Sep.     8,  '64 

Substitute  ;  wounded  at  Five  Forks 

;  in 

hosp.  at  m.  o. 

Egner,  P. 

Jan.    20,  '65 

Substitute  ;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Fowler,  D.  S. 

Aug.     5,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Hill,  J.  H. 

Aug.  29,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Hopps,  J. 

Sep.     7,  '64 

Substitute;    wounded    Mar.    31, 

'65; 

disch.  June  2,  '65. 

Patterson,  H. 

Aug.    2/64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Pease,  C.  A. 

Sep.   29,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Rohn,  A.  S. 

Sep.   30,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Sweeney,  P. 

Sep.   14,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  19,  '65. 

Simons,  E. 

Sep.   22,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  10,  '65. 

Shively,  G.  W. 

Sep.   27,  '64 

Substitute;  disch.  June  IO,  '65. 

Wheeler,  B. 

Aug.  13,  '64 

Substitute;  m.  o.  with  Co. 

Roll  of  Drafted  Men  and  Substitutes  assigned  to  the  Regiment  after 

the  Surrender. 

COMPANY  A. — All  mustered  in  after  February  25,  1865,  some  after  April  I. 
Corporals,  C.  Davis,  S.  Griffith,  F.  Esties,  W.  Clark.  Privates,  J.  H.  Albright,  C. 
Ackerman,  J.  Berkleypile,  W.  E.  Beatty,  J.  L.  Berkley,  A.  B.  Barnet,  P.  Cole- 
man,  S.  Dempsey,  G.  Eshelman,  A.  Fredline,  J.  Freeh,  H.  Gardiner,  P.  Johnson, 
W.  Kline,  C.  Kaylor,  J.  Lohr,  W.  L.  Livingstone,  A.  Lantz,  J.  Lake,  Z.  T.  Lohr, 
D.  B.  Miller,  J.  Mangus,  P.  Olmstead,  S.  T.  Riffle,  J.  Riffle,  G.  Raymond,  J.  J. 
Rhoades,  J.  Roddy,  I.  Rock,  B.  Stuff,  W.  H.  Swank,  P.  Spicher,  J.  Stahl,  E. 
Seece,  S.  Swoyer,  W.  F.  Shaum,  P.  K.  Thomas,  Samuel  Varner,  J.  Walters,  J. 
Witt,  C.  Wagner,  P.  H.  Walters,  W.  Wringle,  F.  Young. 

COMPANY  B. — All  mustered  in  after  March  8,  1865.  Sergeant,  Wm.  Gillmore. 
Corporals,  J.  E.  Applebaugh,  J.  H.  Harris,  B.  Holland.  Privates,  J.  Anderson, 
T.  J.  Albright,  P.  Belzer,  F.  Boquiel,  W.  Bruebaker,  A.  Burger,  W.  B.  Coder, 
W.  Carney,  A.  Dever,  J.  Esterline,  W.  Gates,  T.  German,  G.  Gonflow,  H.  Gross, 
G.  Hoffman,  S.  Hickle,  T.  Higgins,  W.  Kamer,  E.  Kerzer,  L.  Leibecke,  G.  Min 
gle,  C.  Miller,  A.  J.  Miller,  N.  Miller,  J.  Marr,  N.  Morris,  W.  Maffitt,  H.  Owen, 
H.  Pretlove,  R.  Roseburgh,  C.  Risestetler,  L.  Ross,  P.  Roach,  B.  Roger,  S.  Sha- 
roskey,  J.  Storks,  W.  H.  Smith,  A.  Sohns,  A.  Smith,  F.  Walter,  G.  Wartz, 
J.  Wagenhaght,  G.  Zeller. 


276  KOSTEK    OF   THE 

COMPANY  C. — All  mustered  in  after  February  24,  1865,  except  W.  Me  Feelers 
(February  7).  Corporal,  J.  Regan.  Privates,  O.  Altman,  J.  Adams,  B.  F.  At 
kinson,  J.  Baldwin,  B.  B.  Banford,  J.  Bryner,  J.  Brett,  J.  Corwin,  J.  Cook,  W. 
Conelley,  T.  Conelley,  W.  Carey,  A.  Eddinger,  R.  Eisman,  J.  Evans,  J.  Freeling, 
W.  H.  Fuhr,  V.  D.  Gibson,  M.  Golden,  H.  Greenway,  E.  M.  Holt,  M.  Hope,  F. 
Hall,  E.  Hardoin,  W.  Hood,  M.  Haley,  H.  Hines,  J.  Hines,  J.  Johnston,  O.  Jeff 
ries,  J.  Keating,  J.  Lehman,  I.  Linn,  P.  Luce,  E.  Leonard,  M.  Lavin,  P.  Len- 
heady,  P.  Mooney,  W.  J.  Major,  R.  McAdams,  W.  McFeeters,  A.  McAllister,  J. 
Mez,  M.  W.  Oles,  J.  Reilley,  P.  A.  Sherry,  J.  Scantlon,  J.  Sullivan,  W.  Sutton,  G. 
Underwood,  D.  L.  Wonsetler,  T.  Watson,  J.  West,  J.  Woodfield. 

COMPANY  D. — All  mustered  in  after  March  I,  1865.  Privates,  T.  Brought. 
G.  W.  Burns,  C.  Baker,  G.  Buckley,  G.  Bath,  W.  Binger,  J.  Brown,  M.  Brown, 
N.  Brice,  G.  Campbell,  R.  Ebach,  F.  Fisher,  G.  W.  Fulton,  J.  F.  Greasmyer,  S. 
Gass,  G.  Garrison,  J.  Gibboney,  L.  Houser,  G.  Hollabaugh,  P.  Hammon,  H. 
Hooper,  C.  Hummel,  W.  Hoffman,  C.  B.  Himmelwright,  E.  Havercanne,  J.  Hoff 
man,  J.  A.  Jones,  A.  Kelley,  H.  Lentz,  M.  Michamer,  A.  Maben,  S.  Mohney,  E. 
McBride,  J.  L.  Parson,  M.  Powell,  W.  Rowley,  G.  Reed,  F.  Sacarmen,  J.  Sproate, 
M.  Shoape,  W.  Stimeley,  S.  Shearer,  G.  Sailor,  C.  P.  Trapp,  W.  Warley,  G.  W. 
Wise,  P.  Whitczell,  W.  G.  Wagner,  J.  White,  P.  Wagner. 

COMPANY  E. — All  mustered  in  after  February  28,  1865.  Corporals,  J.  H. 
Horton,  D.  Gilbert.  Privates,  J.  Abrams,  T.  Abrams,  A.  Alexander,  J.  Arthurs, 
H.  Brailey,  O.  Brannen,  W.  J.  Briggs,  W.  Baker,  L.  Betz,  R.  Cook,  N.  Callen, 
T.  Caney,  A.  French,  C.  Falty,  J.  Good,  A.  Gready,  W.  Heckendon,  L.  Hart,  J. 
Kavin,  J.  Kernan,  W.  King,  G.  Lind,  J.  Lyons,  W.  Lyons,  S.  Logan,  M.  Myers, 

D.  W.  Myers,  J.  Menzies,  P.  Madden,  J.  Mack,  D.  Murphy,  G.  W.  Miller,  A.  G. 
Mallory,  J.  McCord,  J.  McGrail,  E.  McCarthy,  G.  Nixon,  L.  Olsen,  J.  O'Brien, 
G.  A.  Pierce,  J.  Rork,  L.  Reyer,  I.  L.  L.  Rickert,  J.  A.  Schofield,  G.  Stomm,  B. 
Spencer,  B.  Stake,  F.  Schlund,  J.  Schanks,  G.  Staples,  J.  Sullivan,  C.  H.  Tubbs, 
F.  Thomas,  C.  H.  Wilson,  R.  W.  Waltz,  A.  W.  Worrell,  G.  Yocum. 

COMPANY  F. — All  mustered  in  after  March  3,  1865.  Corporals,  M.  Howard, 
J.  Barry.  Privates,  J.  Anderson,  J.  Aregger,  M.  Allen,  D.  Bemisderfer,  W.  Boyer, 
J.  Bones,  P.  J.  Boland,  W.  J.  Castater,  R.  C.  Cooper,  C.  Cole,  H.  Donohue, 

E.  Frantz,  I.  Grant,  G.  H.  Gunn,  F.  Gross,  H.  Holla,  P.  Hinchberger,  J.  Haughey, 
J.  A.  Hoovan,  H.  F.  Inch,  M.  Johnson,  G.  James,  J.  Jones,  T.  Johnson,  G.  Knob- 
lock,  C.  Keiffe,  A.  Lutz,  R.  Lee,  J.  Lannigan,  R.  D.  Laten,  D.  F.  Lowry,  J.  Miller, 
M.  Miller,  C.  Merkle,  F.  Murray,  P.  G.  Nason,  C.  Ohlweiler,  A.  Oberg,  C.  Owens, 
S.  Plank,  W.  Parrat,  J.  Phillips,  M.  K.  Reese,  F.  Rhoades,  W.  O.  Rich,  T.  Riddle, 

E.  F.  Sergeant,  P.  Schuster,  J.  H.  Smith,  W.  Scheetz,  E.  Vanluven,  P.  Varmbrodt, 

F.  Warnith,  C.  E.  Whitney,  A.  Wood. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS.  277 

COMPANY  G. — All  mustered  in  after  March  9,  1865.  Corporals,  D.  Wagner, 
G.  W."  Sloan,  G.  Jenkins,  T.  Cargill,  S.  Serr,  L.  C.  Washburn,  A.  F.  Jones,  A. 
Curtz.  Privates,  Jno.  All  father,1  Jos.  Allfather,  J.  Arnold,  P.  Brogan,  J.  II.  Boyd, 
D.  Bowman,  W.  H.  Burch,  W.  H.  Barnhart,  G.  Barnickle,  D.  M.  Beghley,  S. 
Beltz,  J.  Cuchall,  H.  Dively,  B.  Drapp,  W.  H.  Earhart,  B.  A.  Fichtner,  M.  Hyatt, 
J.  Hilkey,  J.  Havaline,  J.  Jackson,  C.  Kennell,  J.  Lape,  J.  Landis,  S.  W.  Lewis, 
H.  Loechel,  D.  Marstellar,  J.  Miller,  M.  Miller,  G.  Mull,  Jno.  Miller,  J.  Pugh, 
H.  J.  Phillips,  A.  W.  Ringler,  P.  Rhoades,  S.  Robison,  P.  Spangler,  W.  Spangler, 
H.  Snyder,  J.  Shank,  H.  Woy,  C.  Weckfus,  P.  Wagner,  J.  Wagner,  H.  Yon, 
J.  Zeigler. 

COMPANY  H.— All  mustered  in  after  February  24,  1865.  Corporals,  J.  H. 
Thompson,  P.  Heck,  L.  H.  Ingram,  J.  R.  Lord.  Privates,  J.  Adams,  B.  Angstadt, 
G.  Arnold,  D.  Bellman,  H.  Bridgeham,  J.  Brightbill,  II .  S.  Burger,  D.  G.  Brouse, 

A.  Corzell,  A.  Clouser,  J.  Carl,   D.  Christman,  A.  Cox,  J.  Foust,  E.  Fisher,  G. 
Flemming,  D.  Good,  S.  Houck,  W.  Hoyer,  J.  H.  Hoffman,  S.  Hoffman,  O.  Hoff 
man,  J.  R.  Hottenstine,  D.  D.   Hunter,  T.  B.  Heiser,  D.  K.  Irey,  W.  Keller, 
H.  Kerper,  J.  L.  Kupp,  H.  Lingg,  F.   Master,  J.  Miller,  A.  Moore,  E.  Moore, 

B.  Nemond,  F.  E.  Potter,  A.  Peter,  J.  Rankins,  M.  Rose,  N.  Reimert,  J.  D.  Rich- 
ter,  W.  H.  Schlipp,  S.  Stanley,  G.  W.  Schull,  A.  Spencer,  F.  Soulliard,  J.  Stern, 
T.  Searfoss,  J.  Ulrich  (ist),  J.  Ulrich  (2d),  G.  W.  Wireman,  A.  Weikel,  B.  Youse. 

COMPANY  I. — L.  Benary  and  L.  Beecher  were  mustered  in  on  February  7,  all 
the  remainder  in  March  and  April,  1865.  Corporals,  D.  E.  Baldwin,  G.  Rubright, 
J.  Griffith,  E.  Shade,  F.  Ankeney,  S.  Ulch.  Privates,  A.  Adams,  L.  Benary,  P. 
Baker,  A.  Baldwin,  C.  K.  Bittner,  W.  H.  Bowman,  L.  Beecher,  A.  Consolar,  J. 
Fredline,  J.  Filson,  E.  Finnegan,  J.  Gross,  J.  H.  Huston,  A.  Harbst,  J.  Hoover, 
Jas.  Hoover,  J.  Haltzhower,  J.  Hartman,  J.  Hurtz,  C.  Jurom,  G.  P.  King,  G. 
Kavis,  F.  Kuntz,  H.  C.  Keicester,  T.  King,  J.  Keneddy,  J.  Middlestrader,  P. 
Miller,  A.  Ohler,  W.  Ohler,  J.  A.  Philipi,  C.  Queer,  F.  Sumstine,  J.  Simmerman, 
Jos.  Schrocks,  J.  Shrock,  H.  Saylor,  W.  Stableford,  G.  Snyder,  F.  Sturn,  J. 
Trimble,  H.  Williams,  J.  G.  Williamson,  C.  Wymer. 

COMPANY  K. — All  mustered  in  the  last  of  February  and  during  March  and 
April,  1865.  Privates,  L.  B.  Adams,  E.  H.  Butz,  H.  D.  Brady,  L.  V.  Corson, 
M.  S.  Cowles,  H.  Crownover,  J.  De  Lair,  P.  Egner,  D.  W.  Fogelman,  H.  A. 
Fogelman,  J.  Figgles,  J.  W.  Foust,  A.  Fish,  Jos.  Firestone  (died  May  2,  1865), 
P.  B.  Gardiner,  J.  L.  Gardiner,  G.  W.  Gerhart,  P.  Gilbert,  A.  Gerhart,  W.  Hall, 
W.  Henze,  T.  Henry,  W.  H.  Jones,  W.  Kyper,  J.  W.  King,  N.  S.  Kregger,  E. 
Lape,  ¥.  Lampman,  T.  Ln  Hays,  W.  C.  Miller,  F.  May,  C.  May,  M.  Montgomery, 
W.  Meredith,  L.  Myers,  A.  Mare,  J.  McGrigger,  W.  S.  Nail,  W.  O.  Nelson,  U. 
J.  Pollard,  W.  Roth,  A.  Stair,  J.  M.  Smith,  F.  H.  Shenwood,  S.  S.  Snyder,  P. 

C.  Vanhorn,  J.  Vanatten,  L.  Walker,  H.  W.  Wheaton,  A.  Weyand,  H.  J.  Whip- 
key,  R.  Williamson,  J.  Wall. 


278  AOSTEX   OF  THE 


Tabular  List  of  Casualties. 

The  number  of  deaths  given  in  the  accompanying  table  is  believed 
to  be  correct,  but  the  record  of  wounded  is  very  imperfect ;  many  of 
the  latter  are  not  so  marked,  because  of  failure  to  obtain  necessary 
data.  However,  the  total  is  as  near  right  as  is  possible  under  the 
circumstances.  The  "Official,  but  no  data  given"  line  and  the 
"  Captured"  are  included  in  the  totals,  but  it  is  impossible  to 
accurately  apportion  them  among  the  companies.  The  total  loss 
is  707. 

The  number  of  names  on  the  rolls,  including  the  recruits  received 
while  the  regiment  was  on  veteran  furlough,  is  965,  and  from  these 
came  nearly  all  the  loss,  indicating  a  percentage  of  about  fifty-five 
in  dead  and  wounded,  with  a  total  of  about  seventy  per  cent,  from 
all  causes,  the  remaining  casualties  being  placed  to  the  credit  of  the 
recruits  who  fell  in  for  the  last  act.  The  band  numbered  twenty-one, 
and  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1864,  227  recruits  (making  a  total  of 
1213)  were  assigned  to  the  regiment,  but  these  sustained  no  great 
loss.  After  the  last  ditch  was  found,  and  "Johnny  was  marching 
home,"  530  conscripts  joined  ;  they,  however,  are  not  reckoned  with 
our  fighting  men.  Their  names  are  given  for  reference  only. 

The  writer  regrets  that  the  records  of  many  respected  comrades 
who  were  wounded  are  not  noted  here,  and,  consequently,  will  not 
have  justice  done  them  in  this  Roster. 


EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


279 


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280       HOSTER   OF  THE   EIGHTY-EIGHTH  PENNA.    VOLS. 


From  the  Official  Records, 

The  following  detailed  account  of  losses  is  taken  from  the  Official 
Records,  but  does  not  include  the  later  campaigns.     These  reports 

were  made  immediately  after  the  battles,  but  subsequent  informa 
tion  has  shown  the  existence  of  many  errors,  especially  under  the 
head  of  "Missing,"  many  of  those  so  classed  having  been  either 
killed  or  wounded. 

Killed.      Wounded.      Missing.  Total. 
Pope's  Campaign,  to  September  I, 

1862 12             101             48  161 

Antietam 10               62               5  77 

Fredericksburg 6               33               5  44 

Chancellorsville .    . 

Meade's  Mine  Run  Campaign,  etc.        .    .              .    .            .    .  .    . 

Gettysburg 4               55             51  no 

Wilderness,  May  5-7,  1864 I             .    .  i 

Spottsylvania,  May  8-21 14               65               2  8 1 

North  Anna,  etc.,  May  22  to  June  I        .    .                6               5  1 1 

Cold  Harbor,  etc.,  June  2-15  .    .    .           I                  4             .    .  5 

Petersburg,  June  15-30 3                19             .    .  22 

Wei  don  Railroad,  August  18-21  .    .           I                  3             28  32 
Poplar  Grove,  Hatcher's  Run,  etc., 

September  30  to  November  I  .    .        .    .  .    .  .    . 

Dabney's  Mills,  etc.,  February  I   to 

March  I,  1865 

The  last  campaign .    .            .    .  .    . 

ii             349           144  544 


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